Means testing benefits - disabled free parking and child benefit?

[hunkermunker]

This is following on from the disabled free parking thread...where it has been said that wealthy disabled people shouldn't benefit from having free parking.

Means testing people for benefits is expensive and involves lots of admin.

How do people feel about child benefit being means tested? After all, wealthy people have children, same as not so wealthy - and we all get the same x amount a week, don't we?

WCL, it's not that simple. Means testing costs the state an absolute fortune. It is really, really expensive, and because it involves filling in forms etc many of the most desperately needy don't benefit at all. So means testing can mean there is far less money for everyone, and the poorest suffer the most, which is worse IMO than a few slightly more well off people getting a few extra quid.

Its OK Aloha, I know its not that simple, I am talking 'ideal world' here

Caligula, thankyou, and WCL thankyou for your link

I agree the principle seems fairer, but it does cost so much money it's not worth it in every case.

exactly aloha - that's what I meant about shrugging our shoulders - it's just somethnig worth living with