Why is it we have to pay for child social care in your council tax even if you dont have any kids?!

Mnj1974

Does anyone else agree with me that this seems very unfair? It equates to just over £1000 of my council tax bill for 2022/23.  Why should I pay for something that I will never use?  Lets campaign for this to be removed from the bills of childless households!!!!

elsien

I’ve not used the police or the fire brigade for a good few years now. Perhaps I should request a refund till I do need them? Also not used adult social care and not planning to do so for a good few years yet. I could be quids in at this rate.

While we’re on the subject, I’ve never had a hospital appointment either. Perhaps I could request some national insurance refunds to take account of that as well? 

[Deleted User]

Mnj1974 said:

Why should I pay for something that I will never use?  

Because it's not a pay as you go service. The money goes into a pot to cover everything that's needed.  If you want a menu for everyone to pick and choose from, then expect your council tax to double overnight.

marcia_

Mnj1974 said:

Does anyone else agree with me that this seems very unfair? It equates to just over £1000 of my council tax bill for 2022/23.  Why should I pay for something that I will never use?  Lets campaign for this to be removed from the bills of childless households!!!!

 Childrens social care services is nothing to do with if you have kids.

 It pays for child protection services. To protect those children being neglected and abused. 

 It pays for caring for children who are in the councils care after such abuse. 

 Who do you propose pays for this? 

elsien

Childless person here. Nope, don’t agree that it’s unfair. Council tax covers a multitude of other services that I’ve not used in years or never used - police, fire brigade, adult social care.

Although while we’re at it, never needed any hospital appointments either. Perhaps I could also campaign for a reduction in my NI contributions accordingly? I could be quids in at this rate. 

lisyloo

Another childless person here that doesn’t agree with you.
live not used police, fire, hospitals but I want them there when I do need them.

btw - you do realise other peoples children will be paying your state pension? And for your elderly care if you need it.

bodsj

Ask your mum, then your Grandmother.

Mnj1974

Thanks for all of your responses.  Take care one and all!!!!

Jojohighlander

Hello, I can see where you are coming from but before we both get pelters, the problem is not with the recipient's of your tax but how the tax is being gathered.  A more progressive tax infrastructure with less private company involvement would make a massive difference.

MattMattMattUK

Mnj1974 said:

Does anyone else agree with me that this seems very unfair? It equates to just over £1000 of my council tax bill for 2022/23.  Why should I pay for something that I will never use?  Lets campaign for this to be removed from the bills of childless households!!!!

In many years I am a higher rate taxpayer, in the others I am an additional rate taxpayer, why should I pay that much tax to support people like you?

anotheruser

Deleted_User said:

Mnj1974 said:

Why should I pay for something that I will never use?  

Because it's not a pay as you go service.

Sorry but for some things, it is pay as you go.
See: Gardening / Green waste extra charges.

The only argument for charging extra for being good (IE, sending stuff for composting instead of black bin) is people in flats won't benefit from this if it was bundled into the council tax charge.  But then the arguments above for not using the police or fire could also be true.
Plus, if every household was charged, it would be less than £1 for everyone.