crappy government

[xemmax]

i am not defending the government and their expenses claims, all i am saying is they did exactly what many of the girls on this thread have said they have done 'it's there so i'll take it regardless'.

i know what you're saying but i must disagree - it really is NOT the same. the girls are claiming what they are entitled to claim (whether you agree that we should be entitled is another matter entirely). the government expenses scandal was exactly that - a scandal - because they were knowingly claiming for expenses which they were not - under any circimstances - entitled to claim for. their ignorance is not an acceptable explanation.

 

[Jody R]

in regards to the porn movie ..... she didn't know it was on there, it was her husband behind her back

i am not defending the government and their expenses claims, all i am saying is they did exactly what many of the girls on this thread have said they have done 'it's there so i'll take it regardless'. yes they are intelligent people but I would also like to think that many of the girls on this forum are intelligent also, however they are doing exactly the same.

Noone is perfect, we all make mistakes, they are learning by their mistakes and trying to rectify this

They ARE changing this however and at least they are now TRYING to lead by example

The difference being the MP's were not also saying "the expenses are unnecessary and we aren't using them for the reasons they were intended so lets scrap them but until we do lets claim them anyway."

At least, they weren't saying that until they got caught.

ETA - Okay maybe she didn't know about the porn but there are so many other things. Duck houses? That's an expense necessary for an MP to do his job?

No matter how you justify something you can't say that you don't agree with it but because everyone else is doing it and it's still there for the taking you are going to take it too, not if you want to come out of the discussion with any credibility.

If you don't agree wtih it, don't take it. If you do take it, don't then complain that everyone else taking it is the reason for the financial mess the country is in.

 

[gde78]

If the Government chose to give me a HiP payment in Mothercare or food vouchers, I would spend the money on food or baby products. As they give it to you in cash, I will spend it on what I feel is best for my family right now, whether that be £12.66 on fruit and veg and vits for me for 15 weeks, or a weekend away for me and hubby, or paint and decoration for the girls bedroom, or a tumble dryer, or towards a new double buggy, or a monthly pedicure for my tired and cracking feet, or put it in savings to go towards Evie's DLA. And I don't give a hoot what anyone else spends theirs on!

And I'll say thank you very much for the one and only payment I've ever received from the government over the years and years and £0000s I've put into the tax system.

I didn't get the HiP for Ellie, and I doubt very much I'll ever get it again after I've had Evie, so I will make the most of it this time round!

 

[Missy86]

am I being dumb here or are people actually saying that because you agree the CTF should be scrapped it is double standards to claim the HIP grant?

I think scrapping the CTF is a good idea and WILL be claiming the HIP grant because the help is nice. I will be spending it on things for my baby BUT I have to say if I was working I wouldn't bother because we wouldn't really need the help

No, I think they are saying it's double standards that some people have said the HIP grant should be scrapped but until it is they will claim it even though they don't agree with it.

Can I just add, as I am one of the one's that think it should be scrapped, or at least means tested, but will be claiming it this time (I haven't in previous pregnancies though - how long has it been around??).

That I won't be getting any form of maternity pay from the Government, so although I would obviously cope without it, the HIP will be a help to me. I am self employed and can only afford to take leave a few weeks free in my diary to have my baby. It'll then be business as usual for me - can't complain about that, as obviously it's my choice to have a baby.

But before you use the double standards card, just bare in mind that in comparison to lots of you on here, regardless of whether or not you will be claiming your HIP - I will actually be getting alot less from the government than most of you.

So I do not feel that I should be turning away that £190 - that will be my form of maternity pay for the 4 weeks I plan to take off work.

Cant you get Mat allowence

 

[bump#1]

I work for Sure Start and have been doing some research I've also been asking other memebers of staff and none of us have been informed of a pay cut in the maternity grant, we woould have been informed as well as we work closely with families.

I've also read through the coalition agreement today and it doesn't mentio anything in that. The childs trust fund is being scrapped and child tax credits are being reduced, but that is it.

consider it all hear'say

 

[buttonnose82]

i agree, believe me i do, i am not defending them any which way, all i am saying is they were 'playing' the system just like millions of others do in regards to benefits they claim

2 wrongs don't make a right, all i am saying is at least they are trying to change this now, better late than never, they are a new government and try are trying to lead by example! and thats how it should be

 

[Mum22GTTC]

am I being dumb here or are people actually saying that because you agree the CTF should be scrapped it is double standards to claim the HIP grant?

I think scrapping the CTF is a good idea and WILL be claiming the HIP grant because the help is nice. I will be spending it on things for my baby BUT I have to say if I was working I wouldn't bother because we wouldn't really need the help

No, I think they are saying it's double standards that some people have said the HIP grant should be scrapped but until it is they will claim it even though they don't agree with it.

Can I just add, as I am one of the one's that think it should be scrapped, or at least means tested, but will be claiming it this time (I haven't in previous pregnancies though - how long has it been around??).

That I won't be getting any form of maternity pay from the Government, so although I would obviously cope without it, the HIP will be a help to me. I am self employed and can only afford to take leave a few weeks free in my diary to have my baby. It'll then be business as usual for me - can't complain about that, as obviously it's my choice to have a baby.

But before you use the double standards card, just bare in mind that in comparison to lots of you on here, regardless of whether or not you will be claiming your HIP - I will actually be getting alot less from the government than most of you.

So I do not feel that I should be turning away that £190 - that will be my form of maternity pay for the 4 weeks I plan to take off work.

Cant you get Mat allowence

Unfortunately, due to the way my business works - that isn't possible for me. It's hard to expplain, but if for example I took 6 months off - that would have a knock on effect for at least the next 2 years. Apart from that the Maternity allowance honestly wouldn't be enough for us to live off. My hubby's wages do not cover our bills alone, my earnings pay off the rest of the bills, then food & bits and pieces.

 

[Missy86]

am I being dumb here or are people actually saying that because you agree the CTF should be scrapped it is double standards to claim the HIP grant?

I think scrapping the CTF is a good idea and WILL be claiming the HIP grant because the help is nice. I will be spending it on things for my baby BUT I have to say if I was working I wouldn't bother because we wouldn't really need the help

No, I think they are saying it's double standards that some people have said the HIP grant should be scrapped but until it is they will claim it even though they don't agree with it.

Can I just add, as I am one of the one's that think it should be scrapped, or at least means tested, but will be claiming it this time (I haven't in previous pregnancies though - how long has it been around??).

That I won't be getting any form of maternity pay from the Government, so although I would obviously cope without it, the HIP will be a help to me. I am self employed and can only afford to take leave a few weeks free in my diary to have my baby. It'll then be business as usual for me - can't complain about that, as obviously it's my choice to have a baby.

But before you use the double standards card, just bare in mind that in comparison to lots of you on here, regardless of whether or not you will be claiming your HIP - I will actually be getting alot less from the government than most of you.

So I do not feel that I should be turning away that £190 - that will be my form of maternity pay for the 4 weeks I plan to take off work.

Cant you get Mat allowence

Unfortunately, due to the way my business works - that isn't possible for me. It's hard to expplain, but if for example I took 6 months off - that would have a knock on effect for at least the next 2 years. Apart from that the Maternity allowance honestly wouldn't be enough for us to live off. My hubby's wages do not cover our bills alone, my earnings pay off the rest of the bills, then food & bits and pieces.

I see hun

 

[Jody R]

i am not defending the government and their expenses claims, all i am saying is they did exactly what many of the girls on this thread have said they have done 'it's there so i'll take it regardless'.

i know what you're saying but i must disagree - it really is NOT the same. the girls are claiming what they are entitled to claim (whether you agree that we should be entitled is another matter entirely). the government expenses scandal was exactly that - a scandal - because they were knowingly claiming for expenses which they were not - under any circimstances - entitled to claim for. their ignorance is not an acceptable explanation.

You put that better than I did, thanks

 

[bubbles]

am I being dumb here or are people actually saying that because you agree the CTF should be scrapped it is double standards to claim the HIP grant?

I think scrapping the CTF is a good idea and WILL be claiming the HIP grant because the help is nice. I will be spending it on things for my baby BUT I have to say if I was working I wouldn't bother because we wouldn't really need the help

No, I think they are saying it's double standards that some people have said the HIP grant should be scrapped but until it is they will claim it even though they don't agree with it.

Can I just add, as I am one of the one's that think it should be scrapped, or at least means tested, but will be claiming it this time (I haven't in previous pregnancies though - how long has it been around??).

That I won't be getting any form of maternity pay from the Government, so although I would obviously cope without it, the HIP will be a help to me. I am self employed and can only afford to take leave a few weeks free in my diary to have my baby. It'll then be business as usual for me - can't complain about that, as obviously it's my choice to have a baby.

But before you use the double standards card, just bare in mind that in comparison to lots of you on here, regardless of whether or not you will be claiming your HIP - I will actually be getting alot less from the government than most of you.

So I do not feel that I should be turning away that £190 - that will be my form of maternity pay for the 4 weeks I plan to take off work.

I'm not entitled to Mat pay either but I knew that when we planned this baby. I'm a SAHM and haven't worked for over 18months (Maternity pay ended last July) the HIP money will come in handy because we are having to put off buying new baby things so we can put some money aside to cover our rent after DH has taken his paternity for which he will lose out on about £500 if he takes both weeks

 

[lkb21]

@ buttonnose: Unfortunately, life isn't as black and white as that.

life isn't so 'black and white' because we are too pampered as a country

parenting = responsibility

don't see whats difficult to understand about that, I wouldn't decide to have a dog then expect the government to pay me to look after it, so why should i expect the government to pay me to look after my child

The thing is, things happen that weren't always prepared for. we may be perfectly ready for the responsibility but you never know what is round the corner!!!

When my SIL fell pregnant with my neice my brother was the manager of a huge company had a great wage etc, and durin the course of her pregnancy the company was bust. they were screwed. their savings went on mortgage and stuff was needed for their baby, that they had planned for meticulously! just becuase ppl need help doesn't mean that they are scroungers wanting the world to owe them a favour! It is how civilised society works!

If (god forbid) someones child fell ill or was boirn with a disability and needed treatement on the NHS, then my tax/NI contributions would go towards the facilities and healthcare that that child needed!!! If we were to look at the world the way you and a few others are looking at this, i should think 'well why do i care, its not my child thats ill!! if you haven't saved enough money to provide for your child in every eventuality that life my throw at you thats not my problem!' but that isn't how most of us think.

Most of us accept that some in our civilised society, things aren't always easy, for one reason or another.

even if we accept that 500 is too much, i still think that there should be a reasonable amount of help offered to those who need it. because you just never know what help i might need!

i just wish ppl wouldn't see it as 'well face up to your responsibilities!!' its such a dumb way to look at things!!!

my goodness wouldn't the world be a glorious place if we could all be so bloody perfect!

 

[Mum22GTTC]

@ buttonnose: Unfortunately, life isn't as black and white as that.

life isn't so 'black and white' because we are too pampered as a country

parenting = responsibility

don't see whats difficult to understand about that, I wouldn't decide to have a dog then expect the government to pay me to look after it, so why should i expect the government to pay me to look after my child

The thing is, things happen that weren't always prepared for. we may be perfectly ready for the responsibility but you never know what is round the corner!!!

When my SIL fell pregnant with my neice my brother was the manager of a huge company had a great wage etc, and durin the course of her pregnancy the company was bust. they were screwed. their savings went on mortgage and stuff was needed for their baby, that they had planned for meticulously! just becuase ppl need help doesn't mean that they are scroungers wanting the world to owe them a favour! It is how civilised society works!

If (god forbid) someones child fell ill or was boirn with a disability and needed treatement on the NHS, then my tax/NI contributions would go towards the facilities and healthcare that that child needed!!! If we were to look at the world the way you and a few others are looking at this, i should think 'well why do i care, its not my child thats ill!! if you haven't saved enough money to provide for your child in every eventuality that life my throw at you thats not my problem!' but that isn't how most of us think.

Most of us accept that some in our civilised society, things aren't always easy, for one reason or another.

even if we accept that 500 is too much, i still think that there should be a reasonable amount of help offered to those who need it. because you just never know what help i might need!

i just wish ppl wouldn't see it as 'well face up to your responsibilities!!' its such a dumb way to look at things!!!

my goodness wouldn't the world be a glorious place if we could all be so bloody perfect!

I agree with the examples you have given - these are people that IMO need & should get help. Their circumstances have changed unexpected.

I don't think Buttonnose82 ( please correct me if I'm wrong) is talking about these kinds of circumstances.

 

[buttonnose82]

@ buttonnose: Unfortunately, life isn't as black and white as that.

life isn't so 'black and white' because we are too pampered as a country

parenting = responsibility

don't see whats difficult to understand about that, I wouldn't decide to have a dog then expect the government to pay me to look after it, so why should i expect the government to pay me to look after my child

The thing is, things happen that weren't always prepared for. we may be perfectly ready for the responsibility but you never know what is round the corner!!!

When my SIL fell pregnant with my neice my brother was the manager of a huge company had a great wage etc, and durin the course of her pregnancy the company was bust. they were screwed. their savings went on mortgage and stuff was needed for their baby, that they had planned for meticulously! just becuase ppl need help doesn't mean that they are scroungers wanting the world to owe them a favour! It is how civilised society works!

If (god forbid) someones child fell ill or was boirn with a disability and needed treatement on the NHS, then my tax/NI contributions would go towards the facilities and healthcare that that child needed!!! If we were to look at the world the way you and a few others are looking at this, i should think 'well why do i care, its not my child thats ill!! if you haven't saved enough money to provide for your child in every eventuality that life my throw at you thats not my problem!' but that isn't how most of us think.

Most of us accept that some in our civilised society, things aren't always easy, for one reason or another.

even if we accept that 500 is too much, i still think that there should be a reasonable amount of help offered to those who need it. because you just never know what help i might need!

i just wish ppl wouldn't see it as 'well face up to your responsibilities!!' its such a dumb way to look at things!!!

my goodness wouldn't the world be a glorious place if we could all be so bloody perfect!

I agree with the examples you have given - these are people that IMO need & should get help. Their circumstances have changed unexpected.

I don't think Buttonnose82 ( please correct me if I'm wrong) is talking about these kinds of circumstances.

I totally understand that there are exceptions to the rules and honestly don't have a problem with that

What i do have a problem with is people trying to get pregnant and having babies knowing that they only way they can support them is with hand outs from the government, that is what i find wrong

 

[sherple]

I dont really give two hoots about the CTF but i do care about the HIP, we've bought every single thing for this baby second hand except 1 pack of baby grows and 1 pack of vests. All of the the other clothes have been second hand. I was planning on using my HIP grant to buy paint and nappies ect for our baby as this cant be bought second hand. If this was means tested we wouldnt be entitled to it as we both work but are on such low wages.

The HIP grant is supposed to be for healthy eating its not supposed to be to buy your baby stuff?

Do you mean you really needed the £500 SS grant, which is there to help people who need it buy essentials for their baby?

I know how to be healthy in pregnancy so next best thing for me is things for baby. TBH I don't think I would bother claiming it had this LO been a boy as I already have all the boys stuff I need

"If you're a mum-to-be you may be able to get a one-off, tax-free payment called the Health in Pregnancy Grant. The money is to help you with your wider costs in the run up to your baby's birth."

The money is not just to eat healthily but also to be able to provide for your baby as quoted on the direct.gov website.
As has already been said i know how to be healthy and if that is the case and it was for healthy eating then they should spread it out from early pregnancy in supermarket vouchers, which is when most of us take a look at our diets and aim to be more healthy.

 

[winegums]

Well the CTF is pointless anyway. Why can't the parents put money into a savings account for their child themselves? So so so much money has been wasted on this stupid scheme money that wasn't even there!!!!!!!!!! they actually got into more debt for what seems to be NOTHING!!!!! I have been waiting for the day conservatives can come into power and sort out labours MESS!!!
Sure start rumours is just plain down to scaremongering from labour so you can ignore that for now and I'm sure if we need it conservatives will make the right decision and cut what they need to!
CTC is absolutely mad... the fact I'm entitled to hardly any when we earn 12k a year yet people over 50k are getting them!! I'm glad they are being reduced.

People obviously forget how lucky we are as a country
we can £20 a week for NOTHING (child benefit)
we get FREE healthcare
We get PAID to sit at home on our bums and look after our kiddies
We get FREE money just because we've gotten ourselves preggo

the list is endless and i can imagine all these people complaining about not getting free money anymore trying to live in a country that doesn't believe in handouts for nothing!!! good luck

and as for £500+£190 which is nearly 700 to pay for a newborn!!!!!!!!! i probably spent about £300 including clothes up to a year, a travel system pram and car seat, a moses basket, cot, cot mattress, toys, jumperoo, changing table, big supply of nappies and wipes, bibs, bottles, toiletries, blankets, bouncy chair etc you get the picture
if your so poor you need free money off of the government to buy things for you baby........... maybe you shouldn't be buying things new!?

 

[Blah11]

I agree with part of that winegums. makes me get a abit irritated when i hear people say 'Im glad we got the CTF after all the money i get taken off me for taxes'. They say it like they dont get anything for their taxes... sigh.

 

[Dragonfly]

Not entertaining poeple rowing about what others get and what they shouldn't. I just want to know where is the link for this story as I cant find it on google?

 

[Lliena]

Well the CTF is pointless anyway. Why can't the parents put money into a savings account for their child themselves? So so so much money has been wasted on this stupid scheme money that wasn't even there!!!!!!!!!! they actually got into more debt for what seems to be NOTHING!!!!! I have been waiting for the day conservatives can come into power and sort out labours MESS!!!
Sure start rumours is just plain down to scaremongering from labour so you can ignore that for now and I'm sure if we need it conservatives will make the right decision and cut what they need to!
CTC is absolutely mad... the fact I'm entitled to hardly any when we earn 12k a year yet people over 50k are getting them!! I'm glad they are being reduced.

People obviously forget how lucky we are as a country
we can £20 a week for NOTHING (child benefit)
we get FREE healthcare
We get PAID to sit at home on our bums and look after our kiddies
We get FREE money just because we've gotten ourselves preggo

the list is endless and i can imagine all these people complaining about not getting free money anymore trying to live in a country that doesn't believe in handouts for nothing!!! good luck

and as for £500+£190 which is nearly 700 to pay for a newborn!!!!!!!!! i probably spent about £300 including clothes up to a year, a travel system pram and car seat, a moses basket, cot, cot mattress, toys, jumperoo, changing table, big supply of nappies and wipes, bibs, bottles, toiletries, blankets, bouncy chair etc you get the picture
if your so poor you need free money off of the government to buy things for you baby........... maybe you shouldn't be buying things new!?

 

[lkb21]

we dont get FREE healthcare! our NI contributions pay for our healthcare.

again, some ppl are holy than thou - i'm sure if you ask nicely those ppl out there that dont have much will walk infront of you scattering rose petals and apologising prefusely for being such a drain on your otherwise perfect society, because your so perfect.

People aren't moaning that they no longer get 'something for nothing', they are saying atht they have found themselves in a situation and that that money would have helped. you dont know if they are buying new or not!

 

[veganmum2be]

i will still be buying second hand, i would regardless of situation anyway because thats who i am, i dont see the point in new, when used does the job, buy used save the difference!
but still needing money to do that. it all adds up!

i appreciate that people get money for nothing, i appreciate i live in a country thats able to help the needy.