Full benefits

flight747

£19,000 PA for lone parent without working is disgraceful! That's is so wrong!

I have to go to work 40 hours a week, earning £14158 (after tax NI) and still paying full housing rent, council tax, bills.

What the point of going to work and earn less of those single mother who don't work earn better money and still free rent and don't have to pay council tax either.


I hope David Cameron see this and do something to stop all fiddle from all single mothers (I know all women want babies and dump their partner because of more income as a single mother! and simple don't want to go to work!

kingfisherblue

flight747 wrote: »

£19,000 PA for lone parent without working is disgraceful! That's is so wrong!

I have to go to work 40 hours a week, earning £14158 (after tax NI) and still paying full housing rent, council tax, bills.

What the point of going to work and earn less of those single mother who don't work earn better money and still free rent and don't have to pay council tax either.


I hope David Cameron see this and do something to stop all fiddle from all single mothers (I know all women want babies and dump their partner because of more income as a single mother! and simple don't want to go to work!

And what about those dads who just dump their families and start a new one? Don't talk such rubbish!

mazza111

Tbh whilst I don't doubt the figures mentioned if using higher housing costs etc, I've just done the estimation on myself. Inclusive of school meals, etc my benefits are now £12,308, I then put same circumstances in working more than 30 hours a week(using my old wage), and got £13,563 after paying Income tax, NI contributions, rent and council tax. So no the difference isn't great, but I know I still felt better about things when I was working. I know I'd rather be fit to go out and work. But just thought I would show that not all single parents are getting £19k on benefits like some people on here seem to think we're getting. And as I said before, I'm not moaning at what I'm getting, glad to be getting it, just wish I didn't need to

FBaby

kingfisher, your situation is not the common to single mothers and I think most would believe as I do that you are exactly the person who single parent benefits were intended for. You genuinely can't go back to work. Unfortunately, there are many who come up with many excuses as to why they can't work and won't even give it a go. A friend a mine (who isn't single and not claiming any benefits but CB) who decided to be a SAHM when her children were born has now decided that she would welcome a part-time job, but like most mums (single and not), is looking for something during school hours and local. The other day, she saw an add for a saturday job in a local shop so went in to inquire about it. It turned out that it wasn't appropriate for her (decision of the shop owner), but they chatted for some time and would wave at each other when passing the shop. A few weeks down later, the shop owner stopped her and said that something had come up that suited exactly what she was looking for. That's what it takes to get a job, looking around, networking and always keeping a good attitude, not sitting around not even giving it a go because they are no jobs around during school hours, no transport, no childcare etc... The 'why bother' attitude because things are not handed to them on a plate is what get tax payers frustrated.

mazza111

Jojo I really don't get where you get that figure from. Unless there are high housing costs involved. Seriously wish I was getting £19,000 a year in benefits, actually I don't, I wish i was getting £25k in paid employment

gravitytolls

jojo_2012 wrote: »

Thats far more than I have in my hand working £38hrs a week. Shame I have morals.

My parents raised me to abide by the rule 'if you can't say anything nice, say nothing at all.'

Shame yours didn't.

gravitytolls

janninew wrote: »

I think people are talking about single parents getting very good benefits, not people who are medically unfit to work being 'scroungers!' That is a different kettle of fish entirely.

I agree that being a single parent is difficult, but the benefits are very generous compared to working a low paid job. If you had 2 children and were a single parent, surely the amounts of IS, CTC etc are the same for all?

In fact, a low paid job will bring with it benefits, as even this government have to recognise that the cost of living is so high that even low paid full time work doesn't cover living.

Walk a mile in the same shoes and all that, before we judge eh?

gravitytolls

janninew wrote: »

I agree with lots of what you have said, and that benefits can be an emotive subject!

I understand what you say about people struggling due to other financial commitments, but the same can be said for people who work in min wage jobs. Also benefits don't take in to account debt, they are there to cover day to day living costs.

I have a younger sister who is 23 years old, she works in a min wage job in a hotel, and I see how much she struggles everyday. She isn't entitled to any help, I can imagine it must be a little disheartning to know that if she had children she would get so much more money than what she gets now working awful hours in a job that she doesn't like! I can understand why some people get frustrated with this, but that's life! And certainly not a reason to have children!

I'm glad we live in a country that helps people when they need it, but I do feel at present the system isn't working and doesn't always encourage folk to work as they often get more on benefits.

She'd be a sight more disheartened if she had children and faced the daily condemnation that most single mothers face.

You think I'm kidding? My SS got married at 24, she had 3 children, her husband worked full time, they paid their bills, but couldn't afford to move away from the deprived area and council flat they were housed in. She told me one of the reasons she was glad to be married was that people didn't look at her with the same look of barely disguised contempt when she introduced herself as Mrs.

Sad innit?

gravitytolls

sarahevie wrote: »

The point is there is very little incentive for people earning less than 20K a year to work if they have children. I work 16 hours a week in a supermarket earn around £5K, my OH works 52 hours a week salaried for 17K a year.

We would be a lot better off financially on benefits, free house, CT benefit. I have a good friend single mum three kids, gets £24K tax free a year in benefits.

It is a disgusting system and needs serious overhaul. There will always be those who choose benefits as a lifestyle choice, who wouldn't, it is very easy money compared to a minimum wage, low status job.

But you wouldn't, everyone says it and it's not true. Most families with a working income will be better off by about £50, it's true, but not popular enough to accept.

gravitytolls

Dognobs wrote: »

No wonder they all have iPhones wear ugg boots and superdry hoodies while getting there nails done!

Oh here we go...

Look, we all know folk who have the latest gadgets, don't charity shop shop or ebay etc. You know why? Not because the benefits are so generous, but because they're either building huge debts, which they will not be able to pay or they have a second, undeclared income ~ very common because DWP is rubbish at ensuring those who are claiming are fully entitled.

Honestly, despite the rhetoric and the media hype, iphones and ugg boots are not supported by benefits.