30 hour element

pollyward

marliepanda wrote: »

£60 a month is nothing to be sniffed at. Plus the added incentive of moving up in terms of career which is more likely with full time work and experience.

I've reduced my hours from 31 to 24, as a working mum of two including one child with severe autism, I've realised my well being and health is more important than a little extra money.
I've always worked, had minimal maternity leave and I have two health conditions, interactive thyroid and back pain from mild scoliosis so I think it's a miracle I work at all!
Until my husband and I split I wasn't entitled to any tax credits, I think some of the comments on here are a bit rude and patronising as some people like me have always worked and deserve a break!

Berntanner

I've worked 16 hours for two years now, my boys are in high school and independent. May not be much better of financially but I'm happier working 30 hours not so bloody board and feel so hum drum about life. Im proud I'm showing my boys I'm working x

FBaby

OP is absolutely right. So many single parents opting to work 16 hours because the benefits the increase they get for working 30 hours is not worth the perfect worklife balance they currently have whilst still getting enough income to enjoy some luxuries.

This is why there are more and more posters coming to ask for a miracle solution when their youngest leave education and they realise that that nice income is about to go leaving them with nothing and struggling to find more hours, or more often adjusting to the idea of a 4 days working week.