Reply to: Child benefit scrapped for high earners

[SizeZero]

I agree with the Ruskie!

What is it with people that they seem to be desperate to have kids and don't consider whether they can afford to clothe and feed them, or does said desperation throw logic out the window???

With respect, a tenner a week is hardly enough to clothe or feed any child (my teenagers can eat more than that in one trip to the fridge after a night out ). But to some, it helps. And now, only who contribute least will get the most, when most of us know that it's just as hard (if not harder) to raise two kids with on 44k with a mortgage as it is for a family with two kids on benefits with housing paid for.

It is WRONG that a family with two people both earning 43k can get it, yet a family were one parent earns 44k cannot. 44k is a decent and above average salary on a national level, but it's not enough to pay a mortgage.

You cannot have it both ways. You cannot have a society full of decent, upright, moral young children being raised, when both parents have to work every hour god sends just to keep a roof over their heads. Nor can you put/keep a roof over your head without putting your kids in childcare and both working, or so it seems. Admittedly, this happened under the last several governments but there doesn't seem anyone willing to face or address the fact that a family-friendly government and family-friendly employment regimes will produce the kind of children who can aspire to be great people. There are too many screwed up latchkey kids already, too many who turn to gangs for a sense of family that is lacking in the (empty during office hours) home - is that the future you'd want for yours?

[MarillionFan]

So this is easy. Just pay your wife from your LTD to get the double allowance.

Next!

[Boudica]

the communists didn't remove this benefit because they want the 'middle' ground and 'middle' income people, get them all addicted to benefits and thinking they 'deserve' it...easy

too simple for everyone to pay less tax and for the people who have children to pay for them themselves

remember £1 of benefit costs £5 to deliver

[IR35 Avoider]

the admin involved in testing this will probably rule out any cost savings

As I understand it no. The child benefit will be removed from higher rate taxpayers via their tax return, which can (in theory) be processed entirely by government computer without human intervention.

So the only cost is the time of the higher-rate taxpayer filling in a tax return, if he wasn't already going to do so.

Based on what I know of permie higher-rate taxpayers that don't currently fill in returns, there should be an additional benefit to HMRC in that they will also for the first time pay tax on interest etc. that they've never bothered declaring previously. (I'm assuming, perhaps wrongly, that people who haven't filled in returns previously, will do so once this comes in.)

Also, I suppose those who don't like filling in forms could simply stop claiming the benefit, which would mean a net reduction in ongoing admin.

[Flashman]

Conservative Party Conference: George Osborne announces benefit cap - Telegraph

Families' welfare benefits will be capped at £26,000 a year, George Osborne has announced.

The Chancellor claimed that it would mean no one- apart from the disabled – would receive more in benefits in one year than the average wage

£26,000 !!! Still too frickin high.

[minestrone]

They should get rid of it all together and give tax breaks for married people who have children

[DimPrawn]

Shhhhh don't need any more of the ignorant softies north of Watford thanks.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Surely then the free market should encourage those people to leave the south-east and go looking for work where their salary will go further. Get on your bike, you know.

Shhhhh don't need any more of the ignorant softies north of Watford thanks.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Not a Leftie Liberal tax rise then?

I suspect it's the Cons bowing down to more Lib pressure to hit middle earners hard.

Yeah right, cos Tories never increase taxes ...... no of course not - they won't have anything to do with 20% VAT either.....

[HairyArsedBloke]

Surely then the free market should encourage those people to leave the south-east and go looking for work where their salary will go further. Get on your bike, you know.

[DimPrawn]

Just another Tory tax rise (stealthy - they still take it, just give less back for it). Nothing to see here.

Not a Leftie Liberal tax rise then?

I suspect it's the Cons bowing down to more Lib pressure to hit middle earners hard.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Just another Tory tax rise (stealthy - they still take it, just give less back for it). Nothing to see here.

[Ignis Fatuus]

What is a higher-rate taxpayer anyway? Someone on 44k? A good salary in Middlesbrough no doubt, but not so generous in the south-east. If I had kids I'd be a bit miffed, considering how much tax and national insurance the government takes from my earnings.

Surely then the free market should encourage those people to leave the south-east and go looking for work where their salary will go further. Get on your bike, you know.

[gingerjedi]

The way I see it. It's not about wanting to procreate and fill the world with lots of mini-me's.

Compatiable bone marrow, lungs, kidneys. I see it as insurance policy.

It works both ways, be generous to your kids... if not watch out for roller skates on the stairs.

[MarillionFan]

I agree with the Ruskie!

What is it with people that they seem to be desperate to have kids and don't consider whether they can afford to clothe and feed them, or does said desperation throw logic out the window???

The way I see it. It's not about wanting to procreate and fill the world with lots of mini-me's.

Compatiable bone marrow, lungs, kidneys. I see it as insurance policy.