Got a question about income support changes for lone parents?

Indie_Kid

FBaby wrote: »

I understand your dilemma and of course, in that situation, everyone would think of doing the same not wanting to go back to work, but it still makes the system unfair. Why do many people who work hard are unable to get a mortgage to buy their house and have no choice but to rent, whilst others, because they are single mothers, should be able to have their mortgage paid without working?

Many people not working who have a mortgage still have to find the money somewhere - SMI doesn't always cover all the interest and covers none of the capital.

davidcamerongogogo

It's not rocket science to know that it does not make sound economic sense to give everyone a free ride in life and money does not grow on trees. If you choose not to take the pill and have a kid then ya should know that your life is going to be REALLY tough and not just get a load of hand outs. Most people don't know what hardship is in this country. And don't give me that old excuse I didn't mean to get up the duff. People need to get real. It's great to have a prime minister talk some sense for a change.

nadia196

FBaby wrote: »

I understand your dilemma and of course, in that situation, everyone would think of doing the same not wanting to go back to work, but it still makes the system unfair. Why do many people who work hard are unable to get a mortgage to buy their house and have no choice but to rent, whilst others, because they are single mothers, should be able to have their mortgage paid without working?

Because I worked very hard in the first place to get a mortgage and paid my taxes like everyone else. I didn't deliberately put myself in this situation and would love to get out of it. Should I sell my house, blow the money and then rent and get triple what I'm getting now?!!! Think about it, if everyone in my situation did that then the government would be shelling out even more money in rent!

Indie_Kid

davidcamerongogogo wrote: »

It's not rocket science to know that it does not make sound economic sense to give everyone a free ride in life and money does not grow on trees. If you choose not to take the pill and have a kid then ya should know that your life is going to be REALLY tough and not just get a load of hand outs. Most people don't know what hardship is in this country. And don't give me that old excuse I didn't mean to get up the duff. People need to get real. It's great to have a prime minister talk some sense for a change.

*yawn* and those who end up as single parents through no fault of their own? Not all single parents sleep around.

bestpud

dmg24 wrote: »

Your question is extremely fluffy, and as such will attract a fluff/ spin answer. Having said that, well done on actually responding to the OP (you are the only person that has), and welcome to MSE.

Hey cheeky mare!! I responded to the question!!

Fair enough I added a load of irrelevent carp too, but I did answer the question!

shell_542

SingleSue wrote:

At least with two parents present, you can work around each other to cover childcare, with only one parent, that is not possible.

Not always is the person working in a couple, working set hours that allow the partner to work around them and taking away the need for childcare.

My Husband works 12 hour shifts, mixture of days and nights and the days change weekly. I cannot work around his shifts. We are a couple and NEED childcare to enable me to work.

Not only single parents need to rely on childcare, those in couples do too.

Childcare provisions need to be inproved for parents FUlL STOP. Not just for single parents.

Stephrs13

:mad:

STILL_BRASSIC wrote: »

Can you please explain why the age of the youngest child has only been reduced to 7 when all children attend school from the age of 4 and many children of single parents attend nurseries (paid for by the state) from the age of 2? They should be looking for work then, not sitting around until the child is age 7.

I am married with two children aged 11 and 12 (the first planned, the second a happy accident!). I returned to a full time job when my oldest was 9 weeks old and again when my second child was 16 weeks, we had no family nearby, they went to a childminder. Not because I wanted to but because the maternity pay was about to stop and we had bills to pay and a family to support. We have only been able to afford one holiday abroad in 12 years, we can't afford to decorate or improve our home. I now earn £18,000 and my husband earns £20,000, we would be much better off financially if we were a one parent family - what incentives do the government give us to stay together?

If I was in charge of benefits I would only give benefits to a single parent for their first child - these women aren't repeatedly getting pregnant by accident - they are playing the system and this is why the country's debt is so huge. They have had it too easy for too long and it's time to get tough.

Should people on benefit be able to afford to smoke? I don't think they should, if they can afford to smoke they're obviously being given too much benefit.
The Government should spend more money on old people who have worked hard all their lives and didn't receive or expect any handouts, they do however deserve a decent worry free retirement.

Children at two years of age unfortunately do not get any nursery fees paid for them by the state as you think they do...
If they did, I personally could go back to work full time again.
As the government only give help to children's nursery fees once they turn THREE years old I struggled going back to work at all, if it wasn't for my Mum looking after my daughter I wouldn't have been able to afford to go back to work at all!
After my maternity leave I was single by then, nursery fees were practically my whole wages... so who helps us with children under three to get back into work!!!

SingleSue

Granted there are those who do work shifts which does make things more awkward and childcare an essential item but it still remains that those who are on their own would find it a lot more difficult than those who are part of a couple (in the main).

My ex also worked a sort of shift pattern which meant he finished work at a different time each week on a 3 week revolving basis, I just made sure I arranged employment which started after his latest coming home time (yes I worked late on into the night and survived on very little sleep). He also did weekend working, so had to arrange around that too. Not the same as yourself of course as his were very early starts, normal finish, normal start, normal finish and normal start and late finish plus he also had a second job as the office cleaner two nights a week. There were quite a few times I would be sitting on the doorstep waiting for his car to come down the road so I could jump into my car to go to work (also a few times where he got held up and I was late to work...thankfully an understandable company allowed me leeway and the opportunity to work extra at the end of my shift to make up time)

But I do agree, childcare needs to be improved for everyone, it needs to be more affordable for everyone, it needs to be more flexible for everyone....and a few more offering disabled places (and post primary school age) would be good too and actually taking them on rather than saying they will and then not when you ask them to!

shell_542

You're right, your situation wasn't the same, as you were able to work around the ex's shifts. I wish I could. I would much rather my children were being cared for by my husband than a childcare provider, especially a childcare provider who I am basically working to pay with very little left over. But as I stated, my Husband works a variety of shifts day and night. There is no regular time available to work around him. He either finishes at 7pm, 11pm or 7am. No chance for late or even night work or me as we have no friends or family who can help out either.

Whereas some single parents maybe fortunate enough to have friends and family do childcare for them, like a few I know. It is not as black and white to just say couples have it easier when it comes to employment/childcare.

The current childcare situation is rubbish for all parents who must rely on it.

kingfisherblue

In my area there is currently a questionnaire about childcare on the council website. I believe there is also something called DCATCH, that should, in theory, make it easier for parents of disabled children to find childcare. Unfortunately, it is still nigh on impossible to get childcare for disabled children. Even the after school club that caters for disabled children in my town cannot offer more than one or two places a week, and that is only if you live in certain areas of the town. They can only have a few disabled children due to needing more staff to cater for their needs.

As for being a single parent, claiming benefits, etc., for many of us it is not through choice. I had my three children when I was married. My husband left me after eighteen years together - almost sixteen of those years married. He cannot help with childcare as he no longer lives in the area. My mum helps when she can, but at 77, I don't want to ask too much of her. Claiming benefits, for me, is a necessity and not a choice.