Should child benefit be means tested?

[JustineMumsnet]

There's a new report from the Tax Payers' Alliance which recommends means testing for child benefit - possibly scrapping it for households with an income of more than £50 000. Channel Five Live would like to know what mums think of the idea?

(Am going on at 11)

That's a good idea eliedee- I was going as an alternative to send Dh in to the student advice people at Uni- may try both, usually best way IME LOL.

Yes, both seem worth pursuing.

scrapping CB for those who earn over 50k is unfair, particularly in London.

We manage on one salary, have to rent privately and have three children 5,4 and nearly 3.If I went back to work full time as a teacher, my wages would only cover the cost f childcare and a part-time cleaner to help, so I'm a SAHM.

We cope on my DH's salary which is below 50k but over the average wage. I use that CB every month to buy clothes, food, pay bills and household essentials. It is a nightmare trying to manage on one salary anyway, without the threat that my CB will go, once my DH gets his next promotion. His money has to support the five of us. With all the added costs of being at home with young children all day- utilities bills are much higher and we need that money to get by. it's not luxuries, just the basics I'm talking here. We are in debt and often left with nothing at all, after all bills are paid.

Why can't the Gov give me my DH's tax allowance instead perhaps?

FFS- make childcare cheaper so that going to back to work would be worth my while?

I do however, think that CB should be scrapped for the super rich- for example the beckhams get CB for their 3 boys which is clearly not money they need. It's a clear another attack on middle income families.

Stop punishing women who are tying to look after their families however they can.

I also am NOT voting Labour next year- the last few years have been an absolute, unmitigated disaster.

I agree with you honeydue they should make childcare cheaper. The supposed cover of up to 80% of childcare costs by the tax credits was more like 10% for us when I looked so would barely be worth it.

Do the super-rich really bother to claim CB though? I had always assumed that they wouldn't bother with the forms. I'm sure if I had millions I would be too to claim.

I also find it hard to believe the likes of the Beckhams bothered to fill in the forms while living in Britain. But if they do, that shouldn't be used as an excuse to attack families for whom the income makes a real difference.