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Lone parents

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Original poster

Lone parents - universal credit / changes to working hours re. budget / Jeremy Hunt?

146 replies

catsinwater · 22/03/2023 13:26

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/22/jeremy-hunt-universal-credit-benefits-mothers-30-hour-weeks

Anyone read this yet? Although my child is 10 it could have a massive impact on my life as a working single parent. I feel really sorry for the people with younger children, it's difficult enough for many lone parents to work the 16 hours a week (I struggled with health issues and stress related to the burden of being a LP when my son was younger and it's not even easy now so goodness knows trying to do 30 hours a week).

I am really worried about this!

I am just about getting by and work a lot of hours in my self employed job but am worried that I will be made to take a job for less money to push me up to the difference of 30 hours, which will set my career back massively as well as my mental health and reduce my hourly wage etc (even if I am working more hours).

What do others feel about it?

Hunt’s jobs drive will push mothers on benefits to work 30-hour week

Exclusive: Single mothers of three-year-olds will be disproportionately hit by ‘unconscionable’ policy, say charities and academics

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/22/jeremy-hunt-universal-credit-benefits-mothers-30-hour-weeks

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TheMatriarchy · 23/03/2023 15:06

My only hope is that the birth rate plummets even further, to the point of societal collapse. It is only then that the unpaid work of women with children will be seen for the true value of its contribution. No next generation to pay the pensions and service the middle aged and elderly, to pay salaries in the education sector, and do all the grunt work in every industry. Hunt is an absolute animal, he destroyed the NHS.

WOMBLErainbow · 23/03/2023 15:09

I'm looking for a new job and most FT vacancies simply won't allow a 30 hour week. I've applied for over 50 roles who have all declined part time (30 hours) working and insisted on 37 - 45.

WOMBLErainbow · 23/03/2023 15:10

I should say, that Part Time roles in my region are VERY rare

Throwncrumbs · 23/03/2023 15:17

16 hours is nothing, I used to work a 14 hour shift overnight without any government help, my toddler staying at my mothers, while I did it, which I had to do because there was no free child care for me to be able to do day shifts. Not saying it’s not hard, but if you have kids support them as much as you can, don’t bleat about having to work the minimum hours you have to because it affects your benefits. No wonder the countries in the shit!

Throwncrumbs · 23/03/2023 15:18

Throwncrumbs · 23/03/2023 15:17

16 hours is nothing, I used to work a 14 hour shift overnight without any government help, my toddler staying at my mothers, while I did it, which I had to do because there was no free child care for me to be able to do day shifts. Not saying it’s not hard, but if you have kids support them as much as you can, don’t bleat about having to work the minimum hours you have to because it affects your benefits. No wonder the countries in the shit!

Plus I did this 3 times a week!

SueVineer · 23/03/2023 15:18

catsinwater · 23/03/2023 10:05

@BlueGiraffes I would imagine that you worked FT for the benefit of owning a house and paying a mortgage? Which is a big benefit is it not? You could have worked part time and got UC, so there is an element of choice to an extent there if you get what I mean. I do realise for many this would have the downside of likely renting a property though, which most of us would rather not have to do.

while I see what you’re saying, it can be difficult with housing costs which are not covered by UC and thus leave you less money than if you rent. Overall it’s worth it but it’s definitely a slog being a single parent.

QueenCoconut · 23/03/2023 15:19

WOMBLErainbow · 23/03/2023 15:09

I'm looking for a new job and most FT vacancies simply won't allow a 30 hour week. I've applied for over 50 roles who have all declined part time (30 hours) working and insisted on 37 - 45.

The 30 hrs requirement is a minimum not a target. The government will not stop you from working 37.5 hrs per week, you can apply for those jobs. You might need to potentially cover 7.5 hrs of childcare from your own salary (once the new rules come in place), which is not unreasonable.

pompei8309 · 23/03/2023 15:28

Throwncrumbs · 23/03/2023 15:18

Plus I did this 3 times a week!

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Totally agree, they want 30 hrs of free childcare and work 16 hrs only? because UC tops them up ? unfortunately the full working force in this country is not able to carry the single part time parents no more .

RedHelenB · 23/03/2023 15:49

Throwncrumbs · 23/03/2023 15:17

16 hours is nothing, I used to work a 14 hour shift overnight without any government help, my toddler staying at my mothers, while I did it, which I had to do because there was no free child care for me to be able to do day shifts. Not saying it’s not hard, but if you have kids support them as much as you can, don’t bleat about having to work the minimum hours you have to because it affects your benefits. No wonder the countries in the shit!

I had no family to care for my children, you were lucky.

Comii9 · 23/03/2023 16:07

@Throwncrumbs your comment is really out of order from a single mum to another. I've done hospital shifts too BUT and it's a BIG but it simply was because even though DS dad was and still is and arse.... he is reliable so I would do 2 night shifts each week.

A lot of people don't have a mother to rely on a weekly basis. What would your life been of if your mum didn't watch your kids? THINK ON.

Also working tax was a DREAM. UC is a joke paying childcare costs upfront, uploading receipts and STILL having to WAIT 4 weeks or longer when they cock up to get a perce take back.

Comii9 · 23/03/2023 16:18

Also it's so hard covering school holidays and expensive £40 per day in childcare is £200 a week. It's not viable to be doing 5 days a week. At my Sons primary there is NO after school club.

They have something that is till 16.15 and that's it. Thansk for the post OP!

Throwncrumbs · 23/03/2023 16:28

Comii9 · 23/03/2023 16:07

@Throwncrumbs your comment is really out of order from a single mum to another. I've done hospital shifts too BUT and it's a BIG but it simply was because even though DS dad was and still is and arse.... he is reliable so I would do 2 night shifts each week.

A lot of people don't have a mother to rely on a weekly basis. What would your life been of if your mum didn't watch your kids? THINK ON.

Also working tax was a DREAM. UC is a joke paying childcare costs upfront, uploading receipts and STILL having to WAIT 4 weeks or longer when they cock up to get a perce take back.

I partially agree with you, but single parents nowadays have it far too easy, I could only wish back then that I could have had UC or even WTC, let alone housing benefit to fall back on, I got nothing, so it’s what I had to do, it was bloody hard, no one paid my rent, no free hours at nursery, not a penny, I was very lucky with having my mum, who worked when I collected my child for the day, I had little sleep and survived on coffee, which I drank at work because I could not afford to buy it!

BlueGiraffes · 23/03/2023 17:08

Throwncrumbs · 23/03/2023 15:17

16 hours is nothing, I used to work a 14 hour shift overnight without any government help, my toddler staying at my mothers, while I did it, which I had to do because there was no free child care for me to be able to do day shifts. Not saying it’s not hard, but if you have kids support them as much as you can, don’t bleat about having to work the minimum hours you have to because it affects your benefits. No wonder the countries in the shit!

Quite an ironic comment given you had free childcare from your mother.

BlueGiraffes · 23/03/2023 17:13

I partially agree with you, but single parents nowadays have it far too easy, I could only wish back then that I could have had UC or even WTC, let alone housing benefit to fall back on, I got nothing, so it’s what I had to do, it was bloody hard, no one paid my rent, no free hours at nursery, not a penny, I was very lucky with having my mum, who worked when I collected my child for the day, I had little sleep and survived on coffee, which I drank at work because I could not afford to buy it!

Ridiculous comments. Many single parents now STILL do not get any financial help at all and don't have their mother doing childcare. You'd think having experienced that you'd actually support there being sensible provisions to help single parent households. Bizarre.

Viviennemary · 23/03/2023 17:18

Won't the child go to nursery. Working part-time just isnt an option for a lot of people They can't afford to. But I think working needs to be rewarded rather than benefits deducted because you work more hours. The system is a mess IMHO.

Moneypanicker · 23/03/2023 17:33

I do empathise for those having children with additional needs as a single parent it must be really hard.

I was a single parent of 3 (fit and healthy children) and worked 30 hours a week. Not working never even crossed my mind. My ex suddenly overnight dropped all support and I had no family nearby to help. It was ok, you get into a routine. To be honest work saved me, it gave me something other than "mum" mode.

Throwncrumbs · 23/03/2023 17:40

BlueGiraffes · 23/03/2023 17:13

I partially agree with you, but single parents nowadays have it far too easy, I could only wish back then that I could have had UC or even WTC, let alone housing benefit to fall back on, I got nothing, so it’s what I had to do, it was bloody hard, no one paid my rent, no free hours at nursery, not a penny, I was very lucky with having my mum, who worked when I collected my child for the day, I had little sleep and survived on coffee, which I drank at work because I could not afford to buy it!

Ridiculous comments. Many single parents now STILL do not get any financial help at all and don't have their mother doing childcare. You'd think having experienced that you'd actually support there being sensible provisions to help single parent households. Bizarre.

I do think there should be help, but to work 16 hours a week is a piss take, maximum benefits for minimum work, that’s what is objectionable. That 3.15 hours a day for 5 days….that’s just pathetic!

Comii9 · 23/03/2023 18:00

@Throwncrumbs how old are you? What else was you born in?

Comii9 · 23/03/2023 18:05

Throwncrumbs · 23/03/2023 15:17

16 hours is nothing, I used to work a 14 hour shift overnight without any government help, my toddler staying at my mothers, while I did it, which I had to do because there was no free child care for me to be able to do day shifts. Not saying it’s not hard, but if you have kids support them as much as you can, don’t bleat about having to work the minimum hours you have to because it affects your benefits. No wonder the countries in the shit!

It will cost the GOV more money to fund FULL TIME childcare in the school hols for all the single parents with no family support. Do the maths we will contribute more tax yes. But the childcare bill will be funded by the likes of @taxpayer1 who is always stating so...

taxpayer1 · 23/03/2023 18:16

Comii9 · 23/03/2023 18:05

It will cost the GOV more money to fund FULL TIME childcare in the school hols for all the single parents with no family support. Do the maths we will contribute more tax yes. But the childcare bill will be funded by the likes of @taxpayer1 who is always stating so...

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As long as everyone works full-time, I am happy to pay.

Throwncrumbs · 23/03/2023 18:18

Comii9 · 23/03/2023 18:05

It will cost the GOV more money to fund FULL TIME childcare in the school hols for all the single parents with no family support. Do the maths we will contribute more tax yes. But the childcare bill will be funded by the likes of @taxpayer1 who is always stating so...

Show quote history

Then is your solution to fully fund single parents, and give them free childcare when they don’t even have to work? if they get 30 hours a week, then work 30 hours a week, it’s not hard is it. There is always some excuse as to why they can’t, you see it on here all the time, get everything given on a plate and still want more, why the government pay for childcare is beyond me, don’t have kids if you can’t afford them!

Throwncrumbs · 23/03/2023 18:20

I pay tax now to fund people who have kids who can’t pay for them themselves, no one paid me a penny when I struggled, but I had mine so I paid for them!

Comii9 · 23/03/2023 18:37

Throwncrumbs · 23/03/2023 18:20

I pay tax now to fund people who have kids who can’t pay for them themselves, no one paid me a penny when I struggled, but I had mine so I paid for them!

How old are you?

Comii9 · 23/03/2023 18:40

@taxpayer1 unfortunately life doesn't revolve around making you happy. You don't sound very happy perhaps you need to ask yourself are you happy? Because others choices seem to be bothering you.

You have been rude and very bad manners on quite a few different threads.