Child Benefit - Why?

[cooky1257]

Ok, I'll give you one last post.
Let's assume mum A has 2 nippers age 3 and 2, she qualifies under old rules for CB, Mum B has one nipper aged 3.

Your CB change comes into effect and 15 months later Mum B has a second child.

Both mums have 2 kids, mum A now still gets CB for 2 kids while mum B gets it for just the 1. Your redistribution of CB money will be applied across all kids so mum A gets CB and the benefits of redistributed funds while mum B also gets the benefit of redistributed funds but still only receives one lot of CB.

 

[Brian]

Ok, I'll give you one last post.
Let's assume mum A has 2 nippers age 3 and 2, she qualifies under old rules for CB, Mum B has one nipper aged 3.

Your CB change comes into effect and 15 months later Mum B has a second child.

Both mums have 2 kids, mum A now still gets CB for 2 kids while mum B gets it for just the 1. Your redistribution of CB money will be applied across all kids so mum A gets CB and the benefits of redistributed funds while mum B also gets the benefit of redistributed funds but still only receives one lot of CB.

Frank,

Ta for that, even though it's a strain at one last post.

That's an outcome of not removing the benefit from those already in receipt of it, I'm aware of that apparent inequality.

Surely the important thing for mum B is whether she has more money in her pocket than she would have from receiving child benefit for the second child?
I think that should be possible by making other changes. Mum A receiving child benefit for the 2nd child while also benefiting from other changes is part of a transition.

By highlighting that as a bad thing is saying Mum B shouldn't be better off because Mum A is even more better off.

That apparent inequality would eventually go away in time.

Happy to disagree on this one with no hard feelings, Frank. I think loads of things in our system need a good shake up and I'm always in favour of helping those who need it.

 

[clifftaylor]

Frank,
I'm always in favour of helping those who need it.

This is the trick, of course - having a system that supports those who need support, rather than rewarding fecundity.

 

[cooky1257]

Frank,

Ta for that, even though it's a strain at one last post.

Happy to disagree on this one with no hard feelings, Frank. I think loads of things in our system need a good shake up and I'm always in favour of helping those who need it.

Ditto Brian mate.