Emergency Budget: tax credit cuts for millions

blue_mum

DaiJoA wrote: »

One thing that I hoped would have been addressed but hasn't is the 'funding' for children from age 3 for 15hrs of nursery care/education each week, which sounds great on paper until you realise that those 15hrs cant be taken as two seperate whole-day sessions, or anything remotely resembling anything that could allow the mother to go to work - the 15hrs are worked out as five 2 1/2 hour sessions, one per day, which is totally and utterly useless when it comes to helping the mother back into work, and so therefore a complete waste of public money.

Unless you are lucky enough to have someone to drop off and pick up your child, these hours only go towards lowering the childcare bill or as some 'free time' for the mother - there are countless single mothers at my childs' pre-school who take their children there every day then go back to their paid-for flats to watch Jeremy Kyle etc...don't they realise how precious these pre-school days are? My child only goes twice a week as I'd much rather we spent the rest of the time together.

The age threshold has just been lowered to two and a half so even more money is wasted - why can't they make it just one whole day session, or something that would actually be of some use to people like me who would love a job but cannot find one with suitable hours to work around my child (and because we are living together my partner and I aren't entitled to anything - I would rather go without treats and enjoy being with my child).

Am disappointed that this child care provision is never addressed.

I would of liked to know what they intend to do with the 15 hours etc, but from a different aspect as I work in childcare.

I am unsure where your child attends, but in our area we have been working really hard to adapt the sessions which are at present 2.5 hours per day , to the flexible 15 hour entitlement from September. Parents are entitled to 15 hours over the week so could take it 5 hours each day over 3 days. or 3 hours a day or even 9 hours on one day and 2 3 hour days on 2 other days. But this is all down to what the setting can offer. It is not just as simple to accommodate every families requirements as the childcare setting would close down if they had to have staff waiting for the odd child now and then to attend.

r.e 2 year old funding this is not as easy to access as one may think, so many requirements/benefits before a family may be able to access it. This is not avalible to all.

I totally agree though, I have a job that works around my family and think it is just as important to have time at home as well as having a job that pays the bills. At one point I did work full time until I came to my senses and realsied the only way I was able to affoard childcare was to have the child tax credits pay for it, Where is the sense in that. If I can not affoard the childcare out of my own wages or be able to earn extra money on top of the credits, then I should be looking after my children not other people.

gabyjane

jellyhead wrote: »

Your £10 a week will probably stop, but you might get a smaller amount, not sure.

tax codes will rise by 1k in april but the planned 10k won't be for a few years yet.

Ah that's fine r.e tax credits! have to say i am nervous every time they go in as had a huuge overpayment/balls up years ago and been wary since!

the tax code is better than nothing but a way off £10k!!

thanks for the reply x

Nitha

Where does the childcare element of CTC fall? Is that child or family element? Or does it fall under WTC instead?

My husband's ex wife is screwed under new system as she's committing benefits fraud (despite being reported ho hum) for income support. Now she'll be put on JSA (her son is 9) which means it won't be so easy to claim illegally, a very good thing in my eyes.

VAT increase is a good thing in my eyes and from a business point of view (I work in retail buying) I'm glad they've left it until post Xmas, most retailers have already started printing Christmas Catalogues etc!!!

Was laughing as someone said on BBC website it was impossible to get a 4 bed at the £400 pw cap. Well seeing as my 3 bed is less than £400 PCM (private rented with no HB) I'm sure it can't be too difficult!

gabyjane

blue_mum wrote: »

I would of liked to know what they intend to do with the 15 hours etc, but from a different aspect as I work in childcare.

I am unsure where your child attends, but in our area we have been working really hard to adapt the sessions which are at present 2.5 hours per day , to the flexible 15 hour entitlement from September. Parents are entitled to 15 hours over the week so could take it 5 hours each day over 3 days. or 3 hours a day or even 9 hours on one day and 2 3 hour days on 2 other days. But this is all down to what the setting can offer. It is not just as simple to accommodate every families requirements as the childcare setting would close down if they had to have staff waiting for the odd child now and then to attend.

r.e 2 year old funding this is not as easy to access as one may think, so many requirements/benefits before a family may be able to access it. This is not avalible to all.

I totally agree though, I have a job that works around my family and think it is just as important to have time at home as well as having a job that pays the bills. At one point I did work full time until I came to my senses and realsied the only way I was able to affoard childcare was to have the child tax credits pay for it, Where is the sense in that. If I can not affoard the childcare out of my own wages or be able to earn extra money on top of the credits, then I should be looking after my children not other people.

Completely agree with that bit! I work in childcare too and when my dd went to a childminders it was £100+ a week..with nursery on top about £150 which out of my £250 a week wages wouldn't have been worth me doing. i am now a childminder and look after other children as well as get to look after my own (although she is becoming a terrible teen at the mo!) I wonder how some of my parents afford to work and pay me as some are TC and some not..guess this may change things i don't know.

karenx

Does anybody know when the child benefit is getting stopped?

Nitha

It isn't being stopped just frozen so won't increase for the next three years

daska

karenx wrote: »

Does anybody know when the child benefit is getting stopped?

It isn't being stopped, it's being frozen. In other words it's not going to go up for 3 years. You'll get more on your Tax Credits if you qualify for them. Good thing I think as CB isn't means tested so the money will be better targeted.

karenx

Nitha wrote: »

It isn't being stopped just frozen so won't increase for the next three years

Aw I see thanks! Thats great! Thought by frozen it meant no payments for 3 years! Use these payments to pay for xmas and bday pressies for the kids! And only that reason! Feel its only fair its a benefit for the children and it gets wholy spent on them!

tigga_1961

Was laughing as someone said on BBC website it was impossible to get a 4 bed at the £400 pw cap. Well seeing as my 3 bed is less than £400 PCM (private rented with no HB) I'm sure it can't be too difficult!

guess that depends what part of the country you live in, but least it will stop them in london from renting mansions :eek::eek:

MissMoneypenny

debrag wrote: »

Not sure about HB though:

Housing benefit. From April 2011, the maximum allowance per property size will be capped, those who are expected to work will see their receipt of payments time-limited and restrictions will be placed for those of working age in the social rented sector whose property is larger than their household size warrants.

How does this work?

3 different things there.

Regardless of what the LHA is, there is a maximum cap (maximum that will be paid).

Those that should be working, will lose benefits if they still haven't worked after a year.

In social housing, if you are of working age and have a house that is larger than your needs, your benefits will be reduced.

Is it taking about the £400 per week max for LHA?

The first part was. The £400 per week cap is for houses of 4 bedrooms or more. There are also maximum caps on 1 bedroom properties (£250pw max); 2 bedrooms (£290pw max) ; 3 bedrooms (£340pw max). No more living in an expensive area and expecting the taxpayer to pick up the costs. Caps come in April 2011, so people have plenty of time to move to an area they can afford, if they want the state to pick up the bill.

Would you be expected to downsize in a HA property or move out of HA property in a given time if working?

Only if you are claiming housing for a bigger property than you need (or you can pay the difference).

Will people on JSA have a set time to find work before benefits drop?

All those deemed able to work will have 12 months before benefits drop.

You can read it all here
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_188581.pdf