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Original poster

Unfair!!!

74 replies

Jesusgirl · 23/09/2011 12:22

I'm probably a good few months behind but it just dawned on me now that child benefits are going to be stopped in 2 years.

I've saved up my dc's benefits and it is adding up, my plan was to keep saving them till they stop getting them by which time it'll be a lump sum for them to use for something useful.

I'm really gutted as I feel it's unfair. I'm just getting to grips with the fact that childcare vouchers are being significantly reduced, now this.

We earn a decent amount but it's nowhere near allowing us live a life of luxury. We have to cut down on a lot of things and it just seems unfair that even the little breaks we get here and there are being taken away.

It gets frustrating, DH and I work really hard and we have to pay for everything which is fine but it seems we then get 'purnished' for it.

I understand the government has to make cuts and all, but to me, it seems it's almost a disadvantage to work hard.

Sorry for the rant, I'm just a bit annoyed!!!

OP posts:
PetiteRaleuse · 23/09/2011 14:07

Nothing back? A free health service and a free education system. The safety net of a generous benefits system (as long as the Tories don't get their way).

To name but trhee pretty fundamental things you get back.

YouWinOrYouDie · 23/09/2011 14:10

Assuming that child benefit should and can be saved and that the DC will go to University no matter what?

And parents who are on benefits are told that they have a sense of entitlement...

Original poster
Jesusgirl · 23/09/2011 14:12

Don't get me wrong about my 'friend' on state benefits. It's not from the point of envy or anything. It's just with all the talks of 'people who need the child benefit'

You could well argue that she needs it judging from her pay cheque, but in reality- does she really need it?

There are people that genuinely cannot survive without the child benefits but others just use it for silly things. I choose to save mine for something useful but it's ok for others to use it on holidays just because they don't get paid enough?

OP posts:
YouWinOrYouDie · 23/09/2011 14:14

Tax payees get a break in that they can usually earn enough to absorb the extra tax on the items which non-tax-payers (parents of disabled children for example) also have to pay. Silly little luxuries such as food and fuel.

ShirelyKnottage · 23/09/2011 14:17

The thing is though..and this is not about being a "reverse snob"...when we have threads on here from desperate people scared half out of their wits by the cuts in DLA, threads where lone parents can't even scrape together the £5 they need to get into town to sign on so that they can get their JSA, threads where people with terminal illnesses are receiving letters telling them that there's a chance that they will lose their benefits (because they're not dying quickly enough) threads where people are losing their pensions, threads which very, very quickly get full up because someone is giving out a £30 per week food plan and then this sort of thread.

I think that's kind of lacking in an awareness of how dire things really are, and losing your CB is really pretty low down on the ladder.

ginmakesitallok · 23/09/2011 14:20

What I think is unfair is cb being given to people who can afford to save it while there are families having to choose between heating and food, when families can't afford to clothe their children. You chose to have kids, you can afford them - the state doesn't owe you anything

ShirelyKnottage · 23/09/2011 14:20

OH and as far as I have managed to ascertain this cut in CB (although I agree it is being VERY poorly managed) is pretty much the only opne that's really going to hit the higher earners.

It is ONCE AGAIN the most dreadfully poor on our society who are being pushed ever further into even more grinding poverty. It's VILE.

Evilclown · 23/09/2011 14:21

Don't get me wrong about my 'friend' on state benefits.

Sigh. Only a few posts in and up pops the mythical single mum who gets loads of benefits from the state. Maybe she saves and goes without so her ds can have those things.

To me a haven holiday is a luxury. My ds has never been on holiday.

If you can afford to save CB then you don't need it.

Voidka · 23/09/2011 14:22

I wondered when this thread would turn into a benefit bashing one.
If you are saving your CB you dont need it.

GypsyMoth · 23/09/2011 14:24

Oh for gods sake!!

Stealth benefit bashing!!

GypsyMoth · 23/09/2011 14:24

Again!!

Voidka · 23/09/2011 14:25

Also, with a user name like yours I thought you would be a bit more charitable.

cat64 · 23/09/2011 14:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

GypsyMoth · 23/09/2011 14:52

And op, you are ASSUMING your dc will go to uni!!

Maybe they won't want to

scarlettsmummy2 · 23/09/2011 14:54

yes, but why should the middle classes once again have to support the 'can work, won't work', or only want to work part time?

Why should I work hard, pay council tax of nearly £300 a month etc, childcare at 1000 a month, get absolutely no financial help at all, and now loose the child benefit (which goes on childcare), while there are thousands of other people who have never worked a day in their life??

I am not denying that I have a nice life, but I certainly am not what I consider to be rich, but I work hard. I have worked from I was sixteen, worked hard to get a good education, and now work full time, as well as looking after a foster son with special needs. Why should it be up to me, and others like me, to support people who have chosen to take the easy route? I realise this isn't every benefit claiment, but certainly a large number.

GypsyMoth · 23/09/2011 14:56

A large number? Where are these facts actually from?

PetiteRaleuse · 23/09/2011 14:57

Any stats to back up your last point scarlettsmummy? That don't come from a tabloid.

GypsyMoth · 23/09/2011 14:57

Are you including disability benefits in this too?

Evilclown · 23/09/2011 14:59

Poor people can work hard too.

ShirelyKnottage · 23/09/2011 15:00

I work hard as well scarlettsmummy2. I work 40 hours a week and have worked full time since I was sixteen and part time before that and I had a paper round at 13. So Top trumps there! Grin

I earn an OK wage, but nowhere NEAR 45K. Wah wah wah - why should I work and pay my taxes to give YOU CB?

Evilclown · 23/09/2011 15:06

scarlettsmummy2

I notice you are a careers advisor for the long term unemployed. I despair.

I have also worked since 16, and often for more than 60 hours a week when younger. I worked three jobs when at school.

Had it all, lost it all and am happy with my lot.

Top trumps to me Smile Smile

scarlettsmummy2 · 23/09/2011 15:06

I understand that poor people can work hard too- but if you are poor do something about it- don't expect hand outs because you are in a poorly paid job. If you havent got qualifications go and do something about it. Don't expect me to pay for you to stay poorly skilled and therefore poorly paid.

scarlettsmummy2 · 23/09/2011 15:08

Yes, I am a careers advisor, and am therefore aware of many of the reasons the long term unemployed stay out of work, and a major one of them is lack of drive because they know the state will support them. My attitude is no-different than my colleagues.

MirandaWest · 23/09/2011 15:14

Not sure what you would think of me scarlettsmummy2.

Am single parent who works some of the time and also gets benefits. Some of the work I do is extremely well paid and uses my qualifications. It is seasonal though so overall I don't earn loads. I could do a different job and earn more but right or wrong for my family it is better that I am able to bs with the DC more often.

Had H not left theb we would have lost child benefit from 2013. But I get to keep it. Woop de doo.

ShirelyKnottage · 23/09/2011 15:16

Oh thank GOD for that!

OK, right (firstly I'm not poorly skilled or uneducated ta very much!) I'm unsure where these "free" degree courses are available - if you link those for me I'd be really grateful.

Also, while you're just googling that and getting that info, could you please link me to some really high paying jobs that will also allow me to see my kids now and again? Thanks

Oh, and the other thing I wouldn't mind knowing is who is going to actually DO all those low paying jobs going forward? Because we will still need people to sweep the streets and clean the offices and toilets and work in the NHS and etc etc...

Thanks in advance.