Budget 2010: Budget 2010: Child tax credits up for one and two-year-olds

JimmyTheWig

FluffyFiFi wrote: »

Both my husband I work - although I work part-time so I can be here for when the children get back from school and during school holidays. My children cost more now than when they were babies, their clothes cost more, the school uniform is expensive, their food costs more and they also want to be able to go out with their friends and even just going to play football at the local recreation centre costs £2.50 each week. They also want school dinners which is £2 each per day so £20 a week, not to mention they might like to go swimming which again costs money.

I presume that when your children were age 1 or 2 then either you didn't work or you paid for childcare.
Surely, even though you are only working during school hours, you earn more than enough to cover £2.50 for football, £20 for lunches and the odd swimming session?
Alternatively, I'm sure that the above comes to less that you were paying in childcare when they weren't at school?

Therefore I agree with those who say that the younger children are the most expensive.

liam8282

School lunches do not cost £20 per week

http://www.myschoollunch.co.uk/Leeds/parents/aboutus/

School meals currently cost £1.77 for children in years 1-4 and £1.82 for years 5 and 6.

It does differ from area to area, but nowhere near as high as £20 per week.

If your child is 6 they also get milk at school, which costs about £5 per term.

They are also allowed water if they need a drink, so no need for juice.

My childs school also do not allow any snacks, incase other children have alergies, and juice is not allowed simply because it is deemed unhealthy compared to water.

karenx

Fluffy refers to it as "children" and "they" so I assume there is more than 1. So 2 children would be £18.20 per week. Which is almost £20

welshmoneylover

liam8282 wrote: »

School lunches do not cost £20 per week

http://www.myschoollunch.co.uk/Leeds/parents/aboutus/

School meals currently cost £1.77 for children in years 1-4 and £1.82 for years 5 and 6.

Doesn't always work like that, when said child is a teen and doesn't like school dinners anymore and would rather go to the chippy or Tesco, it can cost more than £20 a week :eek:

liam8282

Comments about older children "needing" Sky in their bedrooms, the latest computer games, the latest clothes....

I really do think that all this was taken into account when they prepared the budget, don't you?!?!

If you want lives luxuries, you should be prepared to work hard and earn them, not expect them to be given to you as some sort of right through your benefits.

liam8282

karenx wrote: »

Fluffy refers to it as "children" and "they" so I assume there is more than 1. So 2 children would be £18.20 per week. Which is almost £20

The more children the more benefits they will be getting anyway.

karenx

liam8282 wrote: »

Comments about older children "needing" Sky in their bedrooms, the latest computer games, the latest clothes....

I really do think that all this was taken into account when they prepared the budget, don't you?!?!

If you want lives luxuries, you should be prepared to work hard and earn them, not expect them to be given to you as some sort of right through your benefits.

I work so why can I not treat my children to nice things? I use child tax credits and child benefit for things my children need as I thought that was what it was there for? If they need nappies or clothes then that comes first. If there is anything left then I will get them a treat if they deserve it.
Im sure all the people on JSA who live on £64 per week dont go buying sky etc as they surly cant afford it

liam8282

welshmoneylover wrote: »

Doesn't always work like that, when said child is a teen and doesn't like school dinners anymore and would rather go to the chippy or Tesco, it can cost more than £20 a week :eek:

:doh:Why should benefits have to pay for that? Next you will be saying your 16 year old needs £5 a day for 10 cigs, but you should get more benefits to cover it.

welshmoneylover

liam8282 wrote: »

:doh:Why should benefits have to pay for that? Next you will be saying your 16 year old needs £5 a day for 10 cigs, but you should get more benefits to cover it.

I should point out that I work, as a result I'm able to treat my family to extra treats, never did I say I wanted more benefits. If I wanted more money, I'd do more over time in work.

Besides, I wouldn't get them anyway!

I suppose what I was trying to say is that teens are quite vocal in their needs. Babies/small children do not make demands on luxuries nor have a choice in how household money is spent. How many children are in poverty in this country because parents do not direct the benefits to them but would rather spend it on their own booze and fags?

liam8282

karenx wrote: »

I work so why can I not treat my children to nice things? I use child tax credits and child benefit for things my children need as I thought that was what it was there for? If they need nappies or clothes then that comes first. If there is anything left then I will get them a treat if they deserve it.
Im sure all the people on JSA who live on £64 per week dont go buying sky etc as they surly cant afford it

I am talking in general, not aimed at anyone specifically.

My comments are aimed more at people who don't work or don't make any attempt to support their children themselves, they just expect the government and benefits system to do all the hard work for them.