I cannot believe the selfishness of those with children who expect everything to be handed to them on a plate and for decent hardworking people to be flung out of their houses if they are out of work for a few months.

Which parents are we talking about here?

I am getting pretty fed up of the few on this forum who are continually having a pop at parents. Listen, I have worked every day of my life since leaveing school and I now have 3 children but my wife does not work because we believe it more important that she is there whilst the children grow up, to give them a stable home and a constant source of grounding.

The fact that we get a paltry couple of quid per week from tax credits (and it is a paltry amount, trust me) along with child benefit does not make us scroungers and i completely resent the assertion.

I will more than pay back any sums given to me through my taxes and the contribution my children will make to government coffers in future will exceed anything paid out for them. They will contribute to YOUR old age pension but what contribution have you made?

Whilst parents continue to get preferential treatment in the form of tax rebates just because they have kids (not because of necessity but just because they have kids) then I for one will continue to "have a pop".  

I feel for you Carol, I can't believe the council were still charging you council tax, you'd think they knew about your situation.

If its any consolation, £3000 is way below the national average debt! 

"They will contribute to YOUR old age pension ... "

Can you guarantee this? The age old excuse of parents of course, but childless or childfree people that work, contribute towards the children that MIGHT (no guarantee here) fund their paltry state pension in  future.

" ... but what contribution have you made?"

I'm not sure which person you are referring to, but it could be that this person is a hard-working individual that is paying his/her taxes that partially benefit your children. Are you implying that by not having children a person is not contributing to society? I apologise if I'm wrong here. Don't forget however that some people don't have children through circumstance. I think your comment is rather harsh.

 

 

 

This is the nature of such a debate, when we are all different by our diverse natures. I don`t have any children by choice, but have always contributed. By not having children have I saved the taxpayers anymore? Perhaps not but the Royal family continue to expand as does their hangers on. This is where our tax money goes. Stop fighting amongst ourselves, we have lost so much not just this genration but over centuries the crown and its goverment have brought about this situation. What happened to common land where a person was allowed to graze and grow food for his family? Not to supplement an income but to provide one. To create a workforce this was taken from us. The GREED at the top is causing this imbalance, the banks have just proved this. Taken our tax purse to help out the already rich. As most of you are saying behind these stories of your lives, who`s there to help us out.

I worked throughout my early years in kitchens and bakeries to get a better wage. It took me 15 years to go from £2.70 an hour to £8 an hour only for T.Blair to come along and bring in the minimum wage. It didn`t come out of the top wage bracket but the middle income to draw the lower bracket up. I went from £8 to £4.50 for the same job I loved in a matter of months. But the bills didn`t go down. I soon lost everything and ended up on the street. I`ve fought my way back, but will I trust my goverment again, not on your nelly.

I`ll earn for myself and help those close to me but not the society that dropped me and fed a dog (social payment was £3.50 a day for a dog on the street, the guy had two so he could get money) but gave no money to me. I`d worked 17 years what did that bl**dy mutt do?

I now make a little money from internet marketing and web design, working for myself. This is the only way forward people,

You are probabl right Bluetulip, my comments were harsh but I answered in anger to the inane witterings of stopmeandslapme gibbering on about how parents are getting everything handed to them on a plate.

i get heartily sick of comments like this and tend to react. i understand some people circumstances are different and not everyone can have kids but that is no reason to vent bile at those that are parents.

Yes, I know raging. Most parents are hard-working and have it tough. And I can't imagine that child support/tax credits cover all that's needed for a child. I guess it's the parents that don't want to work (I'm not on about the ones that genuinely can't) that give all parents a bad name.

If the interest payments are not too high then I would say continue paying the debt off other wise look at consolidating the debt over a longer period. The repayments will be smaller and this way your credit history stay in tact.

Do you know, I am so sympathetic to working people who have borrowed and got into difficulties due to various reasons, it's not only loss of jobs I and my husband have worked all of our lives and I was suddenly widowed and I am sure there are many other reasons.  What gets me really angry is that good people who borrowed when they were able to pay, have changed circumstances and then look at their contracts with various lenders, credit cards or whatever.  All of them state things like 'do contact us if you are having difficulties, we can help you, etc etc etc'.  I found this totally untrue - they do not help, or maybe they do for a very very short time and then the pressure is on - 'when can you pay', 'you do realise you need to make a payment' etc etc etc. Oh - and then there are the phone calls - my God - 'threat' isn't in it.  You are bombarded.  The stress is magnified, your panic escalates and it can become unbearable - to the point, in some cases, of people becoming suicidal.  Many of those people are trying desperately to deal with their debts and are so willing to pay but just need support and for their interests and charges to be stopped for a while until they are on their feet. Unfortunately those wanting their money back can be ruthless and threatening and nothing is gained except great distress. They would get their money back if they just 'give' a little more leeway. We are GOOD people, NOT CRIMINALS.  Does anyone agree?  (or do I really need to leave this rotten country!).

I know what you mean. Unemployment is bad enough and a horrible experience, especially after working for years - and then you have to worry about how to survive!

Trying to look for another job in a recession is no easy task (looking for a job is full time work in itself!)

Atleast we are not like America, as in those who have become unemployed (which has hit 1.9miilion) have also lost their health cover too, because it usually comes in a package. Therefore, those in an accident, normally go bankrupt because they really cannot afford to pay the expense of medical bills.

Good news lidaaw, the government are going to refine credit card lenders to regulations. This will be great for people who are struggling to pay off their debts due to unforeseen circumstances. The new rules will mean that card providers must back off from raising interest rates. There will also be options for a customer to freeze accounts and pay off the debt at the existing rate if the company suddenly want to increase the APR.

So I think there is help out there - it is just coming slowly!

i was out of work for 8 months and the DSS did'nt want to help me... im lucky that the my good lady has been able to support us.. Just.... apparently i have'nt paid enough NI & Tax according to the records at the DSS... so the system is not fair.. i have paid NI & Tax since leaving school (22 years ago) and when i need help the DSS cant help me.. what is the uk coming to?

 

Well i was left without wages at one firm once it went under i took them to tribunal got awarded the money they owed me and still never got a cent..When i went to sign on i was also told i was entitled to nothing..I dont work now as my husband is in reciept of a pension and wages and he is paying tax on both ,,but we will never be entitled to anything and i doubt i will get a pension at all..

lidaaw:

Do you know, I am so sympathetic to working people who have borrowed and got into difficulties due to various reasons, it's not only loss of jobs I and my husband have worked all of our lives and I was suddenly widowed and I am sure there are many other reasons.  What gets me really angry is that good people who borrowed when they were able to pay, have changed circumstances and then look at their contracts with various lenders, credit cards or whatever.  All of them state things like 'do contact us if you are having difficulties, we can help you, etc etc etc'.  I found this totally untrue - they do not help, or maybe they do for a very very short time and then the pressure is on - 'when can you pay', 'you do realise you need to make a payment' etc etc etc. Oh - and then there are the phone calls - my God - 'threat' isn't in it.  You are bombarded.  The stress is magnified, your panic escalates and it can become unbearable - to the point, in some cases, of people becoming suicidal.  Many of those people are trying desperately to deal with their debts and are so willing to pay but just need support and for their interests and charges to be stopped for a while until they are on their feet. Unfortunately those wanting their money back can be ruthless and threatening and nothing is gained except great distress. They would get their money back if they just 'give' a little more leeway. We are GOOD people, NOT CRIMINALS.  Does anyone agree?  (or do I really need to leave this rotten country!).

 

Well said, you have said everything that's happening to me and my family, although im stilll lucky enough to have my husband.

 

No one wants to help, they just 'keep on and on and on and on ringing, at one time i had 19 phone calls a day. I answered each one, it was the same people saying the same thing, even tho just a short time ago, i'd already spoken to them. They drive you to distraction.

When the mortgage rate went down, our mortgage went UP, why, because we were a few months behind, when i spoke to the said building society, that if  we were struggling to pay the first amount how the hell did they expect me to pay another £200 per month on top ????????????????????????????

Its now a few months down the line, my OH hasn't any work to go on to, we have our own building company so that will tell you why he has no work, After this job is finished, that's it. I don't think we can save our house, we have lived here since 1982, always paid everything on time, but now that doesn't count anymore.

All this makes me sick, ill, Where is Gordon Brown ?, he's so not making 'the banks' help people, We can't leave the country cos were a lot older now, but if we were younger, we would be off