?600,000 a week paid out in child benefit to parents overseas

[Snowy79]

Look on the bright side. The UK is currently in debt to the sum of ?1,432.5bn as of the end of August 2014. It was ?997.4bn at the end of June 2010. We're looking at a further ?24bn in cuts which should make next to no difference to the debt. Give it a few years and if Labour get in and borrow even more there won't be anything left to pay any benefits. We'll become the third World Country we should be if we had'nt borrowed to fund the bribes to the voters.

[GastonJ]

Aye well they'll be lowering tax and pleasing people with no memories just in time for next May at a guess, so we can dive deeper into debt. 4 years of cuts to increase the debt by 50% and now borrow more to bribe people into memory loss *shrug* It's like paying a tax bill of ?15k a year, the government 'giving' you back ?50 and expecting you to thank them for giving you ?50

[rds60h]

I'm all too well aware that those earning more than the average wage are subsidising companies to pay the minimum wage to those employees who then have to claim benefits/tax to top up their wages to a level whereby they can live. Until the minimum wage rises to a level where its' a living wage that will continue as we all know. That will be the same whether they are someone from the UK working, or someone from the EU, it makes no difference, and the way things are real inflation is outstripping wage rises to the extent where raising the minimum wage may still be outstripped by house prices (even rented), utilities and those necessary things which aren't taken into account when 'inflation' is calculated (mostly because it would give a real figure that no government wants to admit).

However since the thread is about child benefit I personally think that if the children aren't in the UK (and not just away on holiday) then it shouldn't be paid, full stop. Is that so difficult that the current government can't legislate for it now and have to wait until after an election? Dave's taking the p*ss.

Gaston, I agree with most of what you say but one bit that don't is "Until the minimum wage rises to a level where its' a living wage that will continue as we all know. That will be the same whether they are someone from the UK working, or someone from the EU, it makes no difference"
I believe there is a big difference between whether it is someone from the UK or someone from the EU, those coming here from the EU are in most cases advised by groups and advice centres run specifically for the migrants and so they are able to claim for many things that most people in the UK do not realise they are entitled to and so are not claiming their full entitlement. Also many UK benefit claimants were in reasonably well paid jobs prior to having to claim now and so had contributed to the system prior to claiming now.
Benefits for EU members are supposed to be a reciprocal agreement, but if benefits vary from country to country how can the payments be reciprocal ?

[GastonJ]

those coming here from the EU are in most cases advised by groups and advice centres run specifically for the migrants and so they are able to claim for many things that most people in the UK do not realise they are entitled to and so are not claiming their full entitlement.

and there we are in agreement. I don't really know of such place or Organisations tbh, but if they're funded in any way by either tax or councils then that should stop and funding ended. The point of coming here to work is to work and not to claim benefits. Again see my note post below.

Also many UK benefit claimants were in reasonably well paid jobs prior to having to claim now and so had contributed to the system prior to claiming now.
Benefits for EU members are supposed to be a reciprocal agreement, but if benefits vary from country to country how can the payments be reciprocal ?

The payments are reciprocal, however the cost of living is much lower in those countries so it's very very unlikely anyone form the UK would ever go there and claim benefits. The only way that would work s if the government of the day actually went in and said "benefit in the UK is ?50 a week for UK residents, it will be ?15 or whatever they get back home in your country a week if your citizens come to the UK and claim, *but* if a UK citizen comes to your country you WILL pay the ?50 a week they'd get in the UK". If they can't live on it they won't arrive. I'm sure they'd get the point.

However it's unlikely any government would think of that they're too busy making headlines and points scoring.

[Kalipo]

However since the thread is about child benefit I personally think that if the children aren't in the UK (and not just away on holiday) then it shouldn't be paid, full stop. Is that so difficult that the current government can't legislate for it now and have to wait until after an election? Dave's taking the p*ss.

This is a good idea, however it will be hard to enforce.. Simple way would be imigration should work with child benefit office but they don't

When i was at school.. little muslim kid turns up half way through the year.. i'm like who the **** are you?? turns out he went on holiday to pakistan for 6 months! he did this on a yearly basis and so did a few other kids.. they turned out to be thick as **** and end up on the long queue for dole!

Blame the parents! after all its them illegally claiming benefits and taking their kids out of education!

[jaws2]

soon be illegal ter breath in th UK soon......

[GastonJ]

soon be illegal ter breath in th UK soon......

Odd you should say that. Although Daves Con Dealership has promised to give you ?2k a year back in tax he's decided that air should cost ?3 a breath, have VAT applied to it at 25% on top the import duty because it's not from the UK. Oh and anyone who doesn't vote conservative can only breathe twice a week *shrug*

[rds60h]

Gaston, just to quote from your post "benefit in the UK is ?50 a week for UK residents, it will be ?15 or whatever they get back home in your country a week if your citizens come to the UK and claim"
That to me is reciprocal, and is exactly what should happen, because as you say if we go to the other country we would only receive the ?15 benefit..............Reciprocal.......meaning "corresponding; matching; equivalent"
See how many are queuing up to get here then !! NOT !!