Question about UC- does anyone know this?

[ScramVonChubby]

When DH graduates in 2012, the plan is he works from home trying to build up a business whilst being carer to our chidlren (2 are registered disabled). I will cease being a carer and do my PGCE, I will by then have an MA in Autism and would like to work in SEN.

The literature on Universal Credits I have read suggests that DH would be allowed to work part time as a carer, but that if we wanted to claim the replacement tax credits I would ned to be working or
looking for work. What happens if I am a student teacher? ATM we get tax credits with DH in FT University- is that going to stop? Whilst I would happily work as a TA, long term I need to be able to fund specialist childcare and a TA wage won't cut it. Within a year or two of starting up DH will need to travel for work so I ahve a very narrow window.

I appreciate that there is very little info out there atm but I am trying to make plans for applying (eg sourcing work experience which will require us to invest in chidlcare for our NT toddler) and if it's an impossibility then I need to cancel that.

Best guesses welcome.

TIA

this is the white paper

if the answers going to be anywhere it will be in there. I have read it (its not too long - about 75 pages) but can't remember enough to tell you the answer sorry.

Thanks Armadillo

I am presuming a PGCE will be considered an attempt to prepare for work but ntohing is actually mentioned. What I did seem to get though is that as I will finish 2 months into the whole system then we are unlikely to be affected; only the new claim (between qualifying and starting work).

I hope that's the case; technically DH and I could both claim carer's as we have 2 (+) disabled chidlren, and be exempt. It would seem foolish if attempts to find a way for us both to work were scuppered.

We shall see; fingers crossed. betetr to apply, start and back out if I am forced than not try at all I guess.

yes only new claims will be affected at the beginning with the rest being phased in over the next 4 years or 10 years depending on what you read.

I was surprised about how vague the whole paper was tbh. I expected it to have been worked out in a lot more detail.

Some of teh stuff in the apper isn;t right either- during the launch they talk about carers being kept separate but the paper says otherwise.

Hardly helps anyone plan!

ah but if it was all clear then we could protest - leaving it as waffle just leaves everyone confused

Absolutely true of course

Mind I had a place on QT this week and the electricity deleted my answerphone with the ciontact details to accept it so am disgruntled ATM LOL

oh that's frustrating.

Yes. Very.

Damned Tory run utilities

those bastards get everywhere