Child Benefits

[Hymie]

On today’s Money Box program on Radio 4 – the relaxation of China’s two child policy (being increased to three) was mentioned. It was also stated that only three countries in the world have policies that restrict State child benefits (based on the number of children in a family). Besides China, Vietnam was another – having a two child policy.

Can you guess the name of the third, and only other country that restricts State child benefits based on the number of children within a family?

[Jackdaw33]

Yes, the UK.

[ToraToraTora]

yes thankfully it is the UK.

[pixie374]

Out of interest, is that all state benefits in the UK? I thought it was just child benefit?

[barry1010]

My mother had three children but only got child benefit for one for seven years or so. It wasn't available for the first child so she didn't get it for my sister but she got it for my brother until my sister left school at 14.
When I came along my sister and brother were adults so I was classed as an only child.
My mother was very bitter about it. :D

[Jackdaw33]

No, just child benefit, now restricted to two children per family.

[jennyjoan]

to be honest I don't know of many countries that pay you to have children

[pixie374]

Thanks jackdaw. So, if you got Income support, Universal Credit, Disability benefit (for children), those apply to all children and not just the oldest two?

[Jackdaw33]

I would assume so.

[pixie374]

JJ, not that I think they should pay you to have children, but also many countries have a far better national childcare systems, which means parents (especially women) are far more able to work.

[pixie374]

Thanks x

[jennyjoan]

oh ok, childcare payments are extortinate (sp). All the kids I know who work are so lucky in having the grandparents to look after them, these grandparents literally save thousands for them.

[barry1010]

JJ, problem is grandparents are expected to keep on working themselves now.

[pixie374]

Yes, I babysit when I can... but also work full-time. School holidays are difficult, as that is 14 weeks a year, and not many jobs offer that much Annual Leave.

[jennyjoan]

Barry - these grandparents are retired now and have holiday homes. I err don't think they(grandparents) expected to be looking after little ones at age 70 but there ya go.

[barry1010]

A lot of grandparents are still in full time work, though, JJ. Gone are the days when grandmothers were full time 'housewives'.

[barry1010]

Are there any countries in the world that have NO child benefits at all?

[Jackdaw33]

I don't think the USA does, at least not a universal non-means-tested system but I may be wrong.

[Mamyalynne]

They have Child Tax Credit, but changes may be afoot.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55986366

[chelle7272]

It's not just child benefit, tax credits are also only payable for 2 children

[New Judge]

I think it is only Child Tax Credit and the child element of Universal Credit which is restricted to benefits for two children. Child Benefit (£21.15pw for the first child and £14pw for subsequent children) is, as far as I know, unrestricted.

There is no reason why having additional children should result in additional benefits being paid. People in work do not receive additional pay when they have more children. People who live on benefits (whether by bad fortune or choice) should be subject to the same decisions.