Child benefit changes

On the Mumsnet website, mothers expressed their fury. One wrote: ‘I’m going to lose all child benefit because my husband dares to work hard to keep us. We are just over the £60,000 limit but have no spare cash.
‘We are not rich. We don’t swan off on exotic holidays and we live in a very modest house.’

I'd like to ask her why she thinks those on the minimum wage in Rochdale should subsidise a state handout to her!

It's hard to feel sympathy when someone on £60K claims they need a government handout.

i've been out of the job market for years. what sort of job carries a 1000 plus a week wage? i think a deal of argument is around the total household income when both are on 'only' 59 grand.

Me and Mrs H would have grossed about £75k as a Staff Nurse and Midwifery sister.

It's all about managing your budget and staying within your boundaries. Debt is never a good thing although we all venture down that road at some time or another. I was never highly paid as a low grade administrator but I learned to curb my spending and live within my means, had I not, I would never have been able to take advantage of retiring at 61 as I did as I would have always felt 'I couldn't afford to'.

I guess i'm a simple soul though, I don't drive so no car expenses, I don't particularly socialise (although that's my choice) and I take my pleasures from the simple things in life, enjoying time with my family, gardening and walking and cheap days out with a friend such as the free 'over 50's show' at Manchester Central and the like.

As long as I can pay my bills and eat well (I cook from scratch and never buy takeaways)....i'm happy! Boring for some I know, but it suits me just fine.

The complaint is not that two people on £60k between them will lose child benefit, but that the taper starts when a single tax payer (even if they are the only earner) earns above the higher rate boundary (about £42k).

I'm not saying whether this is just or unjust, but I will say that in terms of fairness or ease of administration it is stupid beyond belief - but then, so much else is...

60K between a couple is riches beyond the dreams of many in Rochdale and the low paid should not be subsidising handouts to those with so much more money than themselves.

You remember the old saying J....'Much Wants More'? I find a lot of truth in that one!

Hinch wrote:I know that when they started talking about Child Benefit, bus-passes and cuts to various other things, the mantra trotted out by Cameron and Clegg was of 'millionaires'.

As I said at the time, that was hokum. £60K might be a reasonable joint income but falls a L-O-N-G way short of millionaire status.

Cameron & Clegg wouldn't put a foot out of bed in the morning to open their blinds for £60K.

Two married staff nurses qualified for five years; the lowest grade of qualified nurse would get over £60K between them as would a lot of police sergeants etc.

Hardly millionaires.

Hardly in the poor house either Hinch.

As above, two married police would not lose the child benefit - even on £60K joint income.

Incidentally, why is the top rate income tax being reduced?

Even without benefit of sharp accountants, the very rich can minimise their tax liability far more effective than most others.