MSE News: Benefits shake-up to introduce Universal Credits

ska_lover

flowerscotland wrote: »

What about Single parents who do actually work?

Are they the root of the problem?

I'm out every day rushing about to drop the kids off get to work which is an hours travelling time for me each way, running about like an idiot. I pay all my bills myself and yes I get some tax credits but my salary covers all my bills. While people I know just sit on their bums, in their rented £600 a month, three bedroom house, claiming they 'can't' work because they have a child.

I have always worked since I was 16 and didn't change when my ex walked out two years ago.

I really think you shouldn't be so narrow minded.

I agree, keep your head up girl.
Your kids will grow up with a lot more self respect, and go somewhere in life. Having parents on benefits, who don't even aspire to work breeds the same in the next generation.You will see it as time rolls on, and your kids are in college, and theirs are on the dole.

budgetboo

I'm a single parent. I went back to work when my sprog was six weeks old. It wasn't the gov that got me pregnant after all, fast forward a few years and said sprog is registered disabled and I'm unable to work for at least the next six months while the authorities get things in place for him.

Ever tried sourcing education or childcare for a kid with disabilities? 5 hours a weeks home tuition from the LEA doesn't cut it in my book.

In a recession does taking on a single Mum with a disabled child sound like a smart move when there is an all time high of new moldable graduates with no dependents? (or pesky flexi work regulations to adhere to). I'll get back into work but am under no illusion it'll be easy as some people on this thread seem to assume.
Also you have no enforceable employment right sfor the first year so it's always last in first out if the credit crunch bites any deeper.

These changes are scaring me, as they take away the rug from under the feet of the most vulnerable. The government and media are encouraging this modern day witch hunt of "scroungers" to deflect from the real welfare bill caused by the changes to corporation tax, and the issues caused in the ecomony caused by Banks happy to hoard tax payers money, rather than lend it to stimulate small scale entrenpreneirs - the real engine room of recovery after any big recession. This despite the fact we, the tax payers are supposed to own most of some of the big name banks. It's an excuse for the biggest 419 scam in history in my view and they are using the old tactic of divide and conquer to finish asset stripping what remains of old Blighty in road daylight with no compunction whatsoever!

The !!!!less and workshy underclass will find a weasle way round the rules, they always do. If by some miracle they can't they'll just mug you for your wallet & nick your car as you return from work, in a cruder imitation of their "betters". Be under no illusion the feral chav type will never starve, but you might if ill health or some other misfortune befalls you once this lot are through with their reforms.

MissMoneypenny

Sixer wrote: »

If that is correct vis a vis the one earner households, I foresee huge unpopularity.

Just go back to what we did just 7 years ago, before tax credits. One parent worked full time and the other part time. By making sure their working hours didn't clash, a parent could always be there to look after their children.

The children got attention from both parents and the 'stay at home during the weekday' parent, got some confidence and self esteem from working.

Losing tax credits isn't the end of the world.

ska_lover

Denzel09uk wrote: »

Ive not had a wage rise in 3 years.

///////////////Snap

GlasweJen

I got a 2p per hour wage rise in October, get taxed an extra 4p per £1 earned now though so it wasn't worth much!

ska_lover

oh good god

Chef1980uk

What will we lose?

I work 37hrs pw for £14,600 but get enhanced pay for unsocialable hours which puts it up to £17,500
Wife stays at home looking after 3 kids aged 3, 1, and 1.

Sixer

no-oneknowsme wrote: »

Well , in answer to this question : My Husbands total yearly income for example would be around the £15k mark.....but his allowable expenses which are all necessary for his trade is around the £7k mark which means his yearly profit is £8k.

This profit , when calculated is less than NMW per hour.....

So , it looks as though this new universal credit is going to work against the genuine self employed !

Ok, I'm with you now. You previously said your husband's wages were good but his profit was poor. I thought you meant 'the money he has to live on was good' but his profit was poor. You meant his turnover was good but his profit poor.

Actually, this brings up a very interesting point. As far as I am aware, DWP regard "full-time" as being 30 hours a week or more. So, how will this notional profit work? On 30 hours a week? On 30 hours a week less 5.6 weeks holiday (as employed people are paid for holidays but self-employed only the hours they work for? Surely people won't be expected to declare a number of hours worked? Just 16+, 24+ or 30+ as they do now?

30hrs x 52wks x £5.93 is £9,251.

30hrs x 46.4wks x £5.93 is £8,255

Sixer

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

Just go back to what we did just 7 years ago, before tax credits. One parent worked full time and the other part time. By making sure their working hours didn't clash, a parent could always be there to look after their children.

The children got attention from both parents and the 'stay at home during the weekday' parent, got some confidence and self esteem from working.

Losing tax credits isn't the end of the world.

I'm not saying it is the end of the world.

I'm saying that vast swathes of people who voted for the Tories and agree with 'getting the benefit bill down' didn't factor in no child benefit, no family element of tax credit, and a JSA agreement for SAHM mothers. And they won't like it when it dawns on them this is precisely what the government intends.

MissMoneypenny

Sixer wrote: »

I'm not saying it is the end of the world.

I'm saying that vast swathes of people who voted for the Tories and agree with 'getting the benefit bill down' didn't factor in no child benefit, no family element of tax credit, and a JSA agreement for SAHM mothers. And they won't like it when it dawns on them this is precisely what the government intends.

I should imagine that everyone who claims welfare payments of some sort, wanted other peoples welfare to stop; but not their own.

The last lot left this country with massive debts, so taxes have to go up and spending has to be cut.