Again, you are putting words into my mouth. (well, fingers)
I didn't say it had NO impact, You asked me if I thought it was the cause, and I don't. I think, among many savings that need to be made, it can be a contributing factor to helping improve the situation.

And I'm not sure that means testing and based on income are the same thing. Correct me if I am wrong, but just saying 'You pay the higher tax rate therefor don't qualify for child benefit' is not the same as means testing.

At the end of the day though, none of my arguments really make any difference to the fact that I just feel, morally, that a flat rate child benefit regardless of need is not the way things should be done.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Tue 6 Mar 2012, 10:57, 2 replies)

The fact is
the UK as a whole could do with the savings.

The people who lose the benefit won't starve, they'll just mumble into the times for a few months.

Upshot is, the govt can safely do this, the 'victims' will not be marching on Whitehall.

They really should address the dual income thing though, it really is pretty brainless, and doesn't need a genius to figure out.

If they're saying a family on 40k a year don't need the benefit, they should apply that evenly.
(username failed moderation, Tue 6 Mar 2012, 11:06, closed)

Ahem and now for the unjust bit -
Mr Osborne confirmed the cut would hit homes with a single or two high earners but families with two parents on incomes up to £44,000 - which might add up together to over £80,000 - would keep the benefit.
(bROKEN aRROW PUA HVI Master, Tue 6 Mar 2012, 11:12, closed)

Yes, that's
what I was talking about.

It's a different argument to the usual one.

Most gripes are about the poorer people losing. This one is about affluent people winning.
(username failed moderation, Tue 6 Mar 2012, 11:20, closed)

It's just been badly managed
In essence the pittence (£20 per week) that is given anyway should be given to poorer households where it actually makes a difference, that will be a weeks shopping for people in poverty, so agree with your argument from a pratical sense but once again the cabinet of millionaires has got it very wrong.
(bROKEN aRROW PUA HVI Master, Tue 6 Mar 2012, 12:46, closed)

Means testing using income tax thresholds is still means testing.
Y'know what? I think Vagabond is right - this really is dull as fuck.
We should just agree that I am right, and move on. That way, everyone's happy, especially me.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Tue 6 Mar 2012, 11:07, closed)

Ah! If you'd phrased it like that before, I'd have realised you were right all along.

( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Tue 6 Mar 2012, 11:12, closed)

Cheers!
Closest I've ever come to winning an arguement.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Tue 6 Mar 2012, 11:18, closed)

"I think"
Hahahahahaaha bless your cottons.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Tue 6 Mar 2012, 11:48, closed)

I conform,
I consume, I obey.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Tue 6 Mar 2012, 11:56, closed)

I fail to see what's wrong with 'means testing'
Some old duffers think it means a return to the 1930s or something, but in this digital age, are you really suggesting there isn't some way of doing this without those wishing to apply having to queuing up in a smoky, dingy office and signing on the line every month!!

Flippin' Google could write a piece of code for HMRC to do this in an afternoon.
(Che Grimsdale Best before:, Tue 6 Mar 2012, 12:31, closed)