Yes, that's the problemthe system he has proposed is unfair as one family who earn a combined income of 86k could still get child benefit, whereas their next door neighbours have only one earner who's on 44k will not.
The reason that child benefit is universal is because the only fair way for it not to be involves means testing, which would cost more than just giving it to everyone does.
(The reason that child benefit is universal is because the only fair way for it not to be involves means testing, which would cost more than just giving it to everyone does.
Wasp Box like a nervous random stranger at a glory hole,
Tue 5 Oct 2010, 12:35,
archived)
But they already means test the child tax creditsSo I don't get why it would be so hard to means test this one too.
(
Barbarossa is not my real name,
Tue 5 Oct 2010, 12:44,
archived)
You apply for tax credits, so only people who think they're going to qualify get testedrather than having to check up on everyone who has children (I'm just guessing here).
To be honest, I don't see why means testing would be so hard either, but that's the long-standing argument for keeping child benefit universal.
edit/ now I'm off to spend my daughter's child benefit on lunch while I still can...
(To be honest, I don't see why means testing would be so hard either, but that's the long-standing argument for keeping child benefit universal.
edit/ now I'm off to spend my daughter's child benefit on lunch while I still can...
Wasp Box like a nervous random stranger at a glory hole,
Tue 5 Oct 2010, 12:50,
archived)