As parents these days you`re damned if you do and damned if you don`t. When I had my first child 40 years ago very few Mothers returned to work until their child began school and then it was part time. Nowadays if both parents work full time then they`re often accused of neglecting their children, missing out on their childhoods etc but if they choose to work minimum hours, they`re accused of only doing the bare minimum so they can claim maximum benefits.
In the midst of all the supposition, are parents who do what they see fit, working long hours or working short hours , whatever it may be, but the operative word is WORKING, this is one benefit only those in work can claim and in my mind, it should be the last benefit any Govt wants to axe/cut back.
When my husband died and I had my youngest son still at home, he was 16. I worked full time and claimed working tax credits, the first benefit I had ever claimed in my life. The point being, I was working long hours, 12 hour shifts and doing my bit for the Country. My late husband paid taxes and insurance for his whole life and I didn`t become a single parent by choice. The money I received helped me to keep my son in clothes, educate him, buy him the things he needed for his education and also went towards basic needs such as food, heating and the roof over our heads. How much did I receive ? The grand sum of £25 per week and only for a couple of years until he was old enough to go to University when I once again provided him with whatever I could.
Until people have walked a mile in other peoples shoes, then across the board condemnation of this benefit is wrong.
