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Original poster

2 child limit, why is nothing done about it? Do you agree?

399 replies

Hopeforchildren · 27/12/2019 17:28

Hey guys, so it has been a fee years since the 2 child limit on tax credits. I know a few families with 3 children and started this thread for them. It seems quite odd that nothing has been done about it while most families have more than 2 children and are on low income. I mean not just single parents and non working parents, it’s a common struggle for all this including full time working couples or lone parents. What are your views on this subject. Shouldn’t there be a stop to it since its unfair on the child and even the previous children that has to go without? Before anyone attacking, please bear in mind that some people don’t agree with abortion or feel strongly connected with the baby to terminate the pregnancy. Looking forward to hearing your views. Please stay kind.

OP posts:
Ambrose2 · 27/12/2019 19:12

There are exemptions to the two child limit on tax credits and universal credit. You are still eligible for a third child if you have multiples, or if the baby was conceived Through an abusive relationship or likely to be the result of rape. So it's not universal, there are exceptions.

Personally I think it's all shit and that no matter what you think of people having big families on low incomes we shouldn't be punishing the kids for that, but I am probably a bleeding heart.

Oct18mummy · 27/12/2019 19:13

I’m working and couldn’t afford three children so wouldn’t have them. Why should someone on benefits have as many children as they want and expect the state will pay. I’m happy the government brought in this cap.

ivykaty44 · 27/12/2019 19:15

If two parents can’t afford to have 3 children then the children should suffer for their parents wanton disregard not using contraception. It’s best all the children suffer if the NRP leaves and doesn’t contribute the resident parent was feckless having more than 2 children...they knew if one parent left then there circumstances would change so make those children suffer

It’s never the child’s fault but its always the child that will suffer from these laws

PencilsInSpace · 27/12/2019 19:15

CPAG have been legally challenging it on human rights grounds. They were granted permission to appeal to the Supreme Court in November.

cpag.org.uk/welfare-rights/legal-test-cases/two-child-limit-challenge

Jackrussellsarecute · 27/12/2019 19:16

Does this apply to family allowance too? I’m not familiar with the policy

ivykaty44 · 27/12/2019 19:17

Family allowance does exist

ACautionaryTale · 27/12/2019 19:18

Up to 22 weeks everyone has a choice. No one has to have a baby just because they conceive.

So, if you get pregnant a third time then damn right it should be in you to support the kid - you chose to have it.

MerryChristmasUfilthyanimal · 27/12/2019 19:18

Saying 0 children would be harsh.

Nobody needs more than 2. And I say that as somebody with 3.

And until employers decide to up pay per the number of children the voters are never going to back this being revoked.

Zaphodsotherhead · 27/12/2019 19:19

I had a high earning husband. We had five children we could well afford. Then his behaviour degraded to such a level that living with him was basically ensuring that I lived in a state of slavery.

I kicked him out and needed benefits to top up my earnings while I brought them up. i have no idea what I would have done if I'd been pegged to only receiving benefits for the first two.

Original poster
Hopeforchildren · 27/12/2019 19:21

@PencilsInSpace amazing how people think it’s not a human rights violation when its going up to Supreme Court.

OP posts:
EL8888 · 27/12/2019 19:22

2 children is more than enough especially for the environment. Benefits for 2 children is more than enough. People can have as many children as they like but why should everyone have to pay for it?

Original poster
Hopeforchildren · 27/12/2019 19:24

@Zaphodsotherhead many women are in this situation but people just want to normalise these kind of situations by just blaming on not being able to afford for it. What happens to women that are abused and have 5 children? Should they just take 2 of their kids and leave the rest because they can’t afford it alone?

OP posts:
firstimemamma · 27/12/2019 19:24

Op, around 90% of posters think YABU and nothing you say is going to change our minds. Just give it up.

ivykaty44 · 27/12/2019 19:25

Zaphod you’d have had to stay with the other parent or your children would suffer financially

misspiggy19 · 27/12/2019 19:26

YABU and I don’t agree with you whatsoever.

I’m working and couldn’t afford three children so wouldn’t have them. Why should someone on benefits have as many children as they want and expect the state will pay. I’m happy the government brought in this cap.

^This completely

Hopeforchildren · 27/12/2019 19:29

This reply has been deleted

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Scarsthelot · 27/12/2019 19:29

Zaphod awful situation.

But surely you thought of these situations a d how you would afford baby no 3/4/5 of something happened to you and dh?

TheClausSeason · 27/12/2019 19:30

Punishing people because they are able to conceive is just another human rights violations

Eh? It's a human rights violation if you don't receive a financial reward for procreation? In what way is it a punishment?

MerryChristmasUfilthyanimal · 27/12/2019 19:31

If I got pregnant with a 4th I would terminate. Because I would not put myself, my husband or my children through that.

If for whatever reason I couldn't then it is on myself, my husband and unfortunately my children to live with the consequences.

There are options to prevent pregnancy. And contrary to MN they are very effective.

There are options post conception.
But Bottom line sex has risks. Those risks are for the two people involved in the conception to live with.

HelloDulling · 27/12/2019 19:31

please bear in mind that some people don’t agree with abortion or feel strongly connected with the baby to terminate the pregnancy

Then you really should do your level best not to get pregnant if you can’t afford a baby. Take the pill, properly; use condoms every time or don’t have sex.

Original poster
Hopeforchildren · 27/12/2019 19:32

Since the first 2 are eligible, if that wasn’t the case then this would not come up

OP posts:
puddingbowlee · 27/12/2019 19:32

I would like more than 2 but then I couldn't afford them, particularly as I don't want to give up my job.

strawberry2017 · 27/12/2019 19:32

If you want kids great but be prepared to pay for them yourself.
If you can't afford them then stop having them:
Nobody is saying you can only have 2 kids but that's as many as you can have support with and rightly so. Too many people see children as a pay day and it's not right.
I love my DD and I'm due a DS but I work my backside off as does my husband to support them. I didn't have them expecting someone to else to pay for me.

Pulpfiction1 · 27/12/2019 19:34

Up to 22 weeks everyone has a choice. No one has to have a baby just because they conceive.

I take it you would be happy with forced abortion like China then.

Not everyone follows the "clump of cells" mantra. I would rather go without then kill my child.

TheClausSeason · 27/12/2019 19:35

I think it hinges on data- are lower-income families having fewer children since the rule change? If so then the rule has been successful. If not, it's hard to justify.