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?

[pixie374]

Thanks Chelle and NJ. I thought it was the opposite, that only Child benefit was affected- but fair enough.
While I agree to a point, nj, it's often single parents who end up with the financial costs, as well as responsibility for childcare. Realistically, the only way to ensure it's fair, would be for fathers to "have" to pay for their children. Which we know often doesn't happen, and for instance, if the absent parent is unemployed, they pay nothing. But children don't cost "nothing" just because someone isn't working.
Either we make parents properly responsible, or the state has to pick up. Otherwise, you are just punishing the children.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Child Benefit is available for everyone to claim, it is not means tested.

It’s paid every 4 weeks and there’s no limit to how many children you can claim for.

However, you may have to pay back some of your Child Benefit in tax if your (or your partner’s) individual income is over £50,000.

[pixie374]

Apg, didn't they bring in a limit of 40k or something?

[jennyjoan]

APG - my niece and nephew have 3 children and both work, however she told me that they only receive child benefit for the first two.

[New Judge]

//...however she told me that they only receive child benefit for the first two.//

Then either she's telling you Porkies or she's not claiming all she can. Tell her to look at this:

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit/what-youll-get

You will see "£21.15 for the eldest or only child; £14 per child for additional children." No mention of any limits.

[MartinMillar]

JJ the following countries have child benefits
Australia, Canada,Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Spain, Denmark, South Korea, Poland, Belgium, Greece, France, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Liechtenstein.

[woofgang]

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit
no limit on the number of children

[MartinMillar]

I thought it was tax credit or universal credit that was limited for the number of children

[sherrardk]

It’s UC/tax credits for two children (unless born before April 2017) and child benefit for all children in full time education up to the age of 19 (non degree level) with a sliding scale in place for wages over £50k stopping altogether at wages over £60k.

[jourdain2]

In France, when you have your 5th child you not only get a medal (formally presented by the Maire), but also your full state pension guaranteed. If your husband survives you, he claims half the pension. A lady in our village was much feted in the local paper when her 5th child arrived. I'm glad our benefits are restricted (unless unexpected twins arrive, of course).

[woofgang]

I think its also worth pointing out that China's child restriction was not on benefits but on the existence children themselves......

[Hymie]

Should a political party in the UK propose that parents pay all child rearing costs, including their education – it looks like most ABers would vote for them.

[Mamyalynne]

Is that a question or a statement Hymie?

[Peter Pedant]

// I err don't think they(grandparents) expected to be looking after little ones at age 70 but there ya go.//

er this is not new you know - - grandparents stepping up

Sarf Efrica was the first to convert a right of a grandparent ( yup they had rights in the thirties) into a duty to care for a child. Kept the orphanages empty I suppose

[Hymie]

It is a statement.

[Mamyalynne]

Thank you - I thought I had missed a poll.

[Peter Pedant]

Yeah that poor deleted poster was showing his human side
hard hearted callous and uncaring .....

[Mamyalynne]

Having seen what was there before it was removed I suspect it was the torturing of the swear filter that may have done it.

Shame really because then any valid content goes too.