What Are The Parents Spending Child Benefit On.

[webbo3]

How can the parents not afford shoes for their children?
https://news.sky.com/story/uk-children-in-need-of-shoe-donations-as-poverty-levels-soar-11850949

[emmie]

i live in the capital, in a fairly pleasant area, but i still see and know plenty of alcoholics some work but most don't.

[dannyk13]

Denton//SparklyKid,Douglas,CrapAtCryptics and TTT,typical Tory stereotypes.//
So what is a typical Tory stereotype?

[emmie]

i have already put my points across about parents.

[AuntPollyGrey]

These types that pop out kids don't bring up' their children though do they? They run feral and I've seen it first hand and it shocked me. On a housing estate where I was doing some work and three kids youngest about 3 oldest about 6 came into the garden to ask if they could help. I got talking to them and it turns out they'd walked up to the shops to get their dinner which consisted of bags of crisps and pop. because there 'mam' was asleep on the couch cos she came in late last night.

[ummmm]

Deep conversation you're having with ones so young.

[New Judge]

//I can't see how anyone believes that bringing up children is ever the easier or lazier option!//

I don't believe anybody is suggesting it is the "easier option". Such people will churn out kids whatever their circumstances. They are unlikely to be able (or willing) to earn enough to keep them so benefits is a suitable choice. Unlike working people, more children equals more income. Working people don't have that luxury. So the choice really is "large family and work" or "large family and benefits".

A side effect of this is that large families are becoming the preserve of the work-shy or super-rich. Those with reasonably paid jobs and who want their children brought up in decent circumstances have to think very carefully before adding to their family. Those not working need not trouble themselves with such decisions.

[ToraToraTora]

why is it that whenever we see them on TV they are smoking cigs, have an I phone and are covered head to toe in tough stickers?

[AuntPollyGrey]

Ummmm you think that's a deep conversation? Up to you if you believe it or not makes no difference to me. These ******* don't bring kids up they use them as an excuse to claim more benefits. These are the ones that need disincentivising , but in the long run its the kids that will suffer if their benefits are capped.

[Rockrose]

Because the tv companies pick extreme cases to rile up the public.
For example what’s the point in an obesity program having peop a few stone over weight? Let’s get them 20 25 stone overweight that will get a reaction

[Mamyalynne]

Possibly those who don't smoke and can't afford fancy phones and tattoos fail the 'Poverty Porn' auditions.

Doesn't make good telly.

[Rockrose]

// These ******* don't bring kids up they use them as an excuse to claim more benefits. //
What benefits do they get and do you have evidence of this?

[New Judge]

//What benefits do they get...//

£650 a year for each additional child.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Rockrose maybe these folks don't claim any benefits eh? Maybe they live off their boyfriends drug dealing who knows? Except I have tenants on benefits and know how much they get.....cos I get paid their Housing Benefit directly as they can't be trusted not to spend it on 'essentials'. They all have nice clothes, lovely furniture, phones TV's and are very quick to call if the tiniest thing needs doing in their home (like changing a battery in the smoke alarm). Not one of them has a job nor wants one. That's what I can't get my head around. I offered a job to one (cleaning) and they were not interested, Even offered cash ...no thanks...

[AuntPollyGrey]

New Judge that's only child benefit that everyone earning less than 50k gets. Their means tested benefits rise considerably with every child they pop out.

[10ClarionSt]

People spend it on supporting their children. Especially when some mothers have been left high and dry by their former armpits of partners. Get real people. I get the impression some people don't know what reality is.

[cassa333]

Whatever the child benefit is nowadays is not the sum total of benefits. So that £13 is in addition.

I have a friend who is a single parent of three ( ages 5, 15 and 16 and since being made redundant has been on benefits. Before she moved to social housing she was paying over £950 a month to a slum LL. now she is in social housing she pays £700 a month.

She has always been able to pay her rent, bills, and for phones. She is very careful with money and is able to have some nice tech but her whole house is kitted out from freecycle, donations and hand me downs from friends upgrading. She looks for deals and even got a virtually new pair of Clark’s shoes for the youngest one on Amazon for £3.50. And yes she does have a bigger telly and better phone than me but she is very careful .

We often have discussions about benefits and even she says it should not pay to be on benefits. I said that’s easy. Just cut benefits and go out to work lol

[pixie374]

I have always been a single parent (of 4) and always worked full-time. I have my own business. There is no way I would ever have been better off on benefits.
Maybe some of you need to try being single parents yourselves, before making silly presumptions.

[AuntPollyGrey]

and maybe you Pixie should not assume you are the only one parent family in the village? :-) I was left a widow at 29 years old with two small children and lived on benefits on a council estate for a few years until I got on my feet again. I know how hard it is but also know how much easier it is when you can budget and cook cheap meals from scratch. More education is needed, though I doubt some of the parents I now come into contact with would be bothered.

[jourdain2]

Well, I taught a child whose teaching assistant (lovely lady and far from well-paid) bought him some trainers when his toes were poking through the ones he had (his only pair of shoes). He was so proud of them and showed them to me. Next day, he was back in his threadbare, outgrown ones. His dad had taken the new pair to the pub and flogged them. I do not joke or exaggerate, THIS HAPPENED.
I know some people hit genuinely hard times - good grief, my own daughter is suffering hugely at the moment - but some parents are feckless. How to tell the difference is the problem.
Re: School uniform, most are supermarket cheap and I never worked in a school which didn't have a stock of second-hand clothes.

[pixie374]

I have never ever presumed that, apg x my sister is one- and I know others.