child benefit changes

Some of the examples quoted in the question and answer section seem terribly unfair though.....

I know Ana I think I didn't make my point very well.
I meant that some young people want it all -big house, two cars, two holidays a year and indulge their children with clothes and expensive games and that's why they struggle, they don't cut their coat according to the cloth if you like.
But property prices are still an important factor. Our first house, an end terraced house in North Manchester, cost less than DH's salary at the time (he was a junior graduate engineer).
That house now would probably be worth £100k and graduate engineers would be lucky to earn £30k.

jane, my daughter has to pay her mortgage and household bills, plus pay for after-school and holiday care for her twins as she works full time. I help out with childcare where I can, but I'm still working. I know she doesn't live in or near London, so costs aren't as high, but 'struggling' on 50k is just a joke to a whole swathe of the population.

nina I think a big difference for young families now is the cost of a mortgage.
Even with low interest rates, the spend on the mortgage is a much higher proportion of their income than 30 years ago because property has increased in value so much and because banks lend a much higher multiple of earnings.
When we bought our first house in 1970 we could only borrow 2.5 x DHs salary. Now it's 4 times joint salary - madness.
Then child care costs are high for those who don't have willing grandparents living nearby - my daughter pays £160 a week I think.
That's why they struggle on 50K.

Of course it would! I can't understand why the government can't see that, instead of ploughing ahead regardless.

Do you remember the days when couples could opt to be assessed jointly or separately for tax purposes? That flexibility was lost when women (rightly) insisted on being treated as individuals not appendages of their husbands. Joint assessment for child benefit would make for a fairer outcome in my opinion.

Having read articles in the press from several families saying that they are struggling on over £50000 with child benifit added on, and that they will be poverty stricken when CB stops.

All I can say is "I'm flabergasted"

One mum even said that she clothes herself and her 3 children from charity shops, runs an 11 yr old car, dosen't have holidays or nights out. Her and her OH have a joint income of £80000, if only !!!!!!!

As to the rights and wrongs of the cut off mmmmmmmmmmm

A senior accountant - "This is a splendid example of the law of unintended consequences, and one which will chill the hearts of Conservative party advisers."
"This will hit the fan after January 31st 2015 filing deadline and is not good timing for the popularity contest otherwise known as the 2015 General Election."

It is going to be VERY unfair to some people though

No. DD doesn't earn anything like that amount, and even if she were still with her former partner the family income would be well below the threshold.