Happiness: a child with a bin on his head Oct 29, 2009
Life isn't fair, and you will find that the majority of families only receive child benefit, not food and housing as one person claims. My children receive an education, just as all single people did whose parents also received all these'benefits', but parents pay for dinners, trips, books, their time, and even subsidise the budget through fundraising, otherwise most schools would be unable to function. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
John Pilger: Postal strike in Britain is the war at home Oct 29, 2009
The best of Britain, which is ordinary life premised on a sense of community, could be found at a local post office, from the Highlands to the Pennines to the inner cities, where pensions, income support, child benefit and incapacity benefit were drawn, and the elderly, the awkward, the inarticulate and the harried were treated humanely. At my local post office in south London, if an elderly person failed to turn up on pension day, he or she would get a visit from the postmistress, Smita Patel,... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Call to end middle class benefits Oct 22, 2009
Child benefit is taken up by nearly 100% of the eligible population ... Reform says payments including maternity pay, child benefit, the winter fuel allowance and TV licences for the elderly could be scrapped ... In his conference speech, shadow chancellor George Osborne was wrong to pledge to keep winter fuel payments, free TV licences for the over-75s and child benefit for middle class families, it says. (BBC News -- UK)
State pensions to rise by 2.5% Oct 14, 2009
Child benefit, which is administered by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), usually goes up in line with inflation. This will be decided by the Chancellor too. (BBC News -- Business)
Osborne gambles with cuts plans Oct 7, 2009
But child benefit will be preserved as a universal benefit and the party would not axe the winter fuel payment or free TV licences for pensioners, he said. Mr Osborne also confirmed plans revealed on Monday to bring forward a rise in the age at which men can claim a state pension to 66 from 2016, up to ten years earlier than planned. (BBC News -- Business)
Osborne denies cuts plan 'gamble' Oct 7, 2009
" NHS savingsMr Osborne contrasted the Tories' candour and commitment to "progressive reform" with what he said was evasiveness about "Labour frontline cuts". While there was scope for more "value for money" in the NHS, he promised any savings would be pumped back into the health service to support frontline services. On Tuesday, the shadow chancellor outlined plans to make 7bn in annual savings - equivalent to 23bn over the lifetime of the Parliament - but stressed that "we're all in this... (BBC News -- UK)
The age of New Labour is over Sep 30, 2009
The steps towards a more redistributive welfare state are taken for granted now, featuring only in the warm-up lists that precede speeches the minimum wage, tax credits, winter fuel allowance, Sure Start centres, increases in child benefit and the rest but they are a crucial part of the record, and classically Labour. The "New" bit was not to shout too loud about them, which looks now, amid sliding popularity, like a mistake. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
The Full Story: Brown's speech Sep 30, 2009
1503From BBC deputy political editor James Landale: More strong hints about Mr Brown's spending priorities: he promises that the minimum wage, child benefit and child tax credits will increase every year for the next five years. jickemptweets: where's the vision. (BBC News -- UK)
Britain's fiscal emergency: Deflating the state Sep 25, 2009
Many well-off parents receive not just the child benefit that goes to all families, but additional help through the child tax credit introduced by Mr Brown when he was chancellor. All three parties have plenty of scope to set out how they will shrink the state. (The Economist)
Tories do not have to win - Clegg Sep 23, 2009
" Mr Clegg will argue that voters have a choice at the next election between the "fake change" of the Tories and "real change" from the Lib Dems. Mr Clegg has faced a battle this week with his own MPs and party members, after saying "savage" spending cuts were needed to tackle Britain's record debts. He also ruffled feathers by suggesting a "debate" on whether child benefit might have to be cut for better-off families, although he stressed in a BBC interview that the principle of universal... (BBC News -- UK)
Q&A: Spending cuts Sep 18, 2009
All parties have plans to reform the ballooning welfare budget, which could mean cuts in universal benefits, such as child benefit, for the better-off ... Lib Dem Vince Cable has detailed 14bn in cuts, including plans to means-test child benefits and freeze public sector pay, but he may face opposition to his plans from his party. (BBC News -- UK)
Unions confront Brown over jobs Sep 11, 2009
Meanwhile, the Taxpayers' Alliance and Institute of Directors say 50bn can be saved by measures such as trimming the civil service and ending child benefit ... The report also urges the government to do away with Child Benefit and the Child Trust Fund, instead increasing the child element of the Child Tax Credit. (BBC News -- UK)
Japan election: Key issues Aug 30, 2009
Its spending plans include the introduction of a child benefit of $3,300 per annum until the child reaches the age of 15. It also plans to introduce a minimum guaranteed pension and abolish compulsory health insurance payments for people over the age of 75. (BBC News)
'New UK proposals to hit legal Indian migrants' Aug 4, 2009
"These are preposterous proposals that have never been discussed either in the Labour Party or in parliament," Keith Vaz, Britain's longest-serving MP of Indian origin, said after the government listed proposals that include cutting off child benefit payments for wives of legal migrants. "They are unworkable, expensive and deal with legal migrants whereas what worries people in the UK is illegal immigration," said Vaz. (India Times, India)
Just what is poor? Aug 1, 2009
Even with family tax credits and child benefit we are still below this level. However, we are fortunate as our mortgage is not the largest bill anymore - the gas and electric is. (BBC News -- UK)
Boy detained for toddler murder Jul 31, 2009
When that might be is, at present, impossible to tell," the judge added. Demi Leigh was left with McCluney by her mother, Ann Marie McDonald, on 15 July 2008 while she went to cash her child benefit. He deserved what he got - but it is a shame hanging was not an option Gary Mahon, father The teenager took Demi Leigh to the park before carrying out the attack at his home in Liverpool Road, Eccles. McCluney had admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but the jury at... (BBC News -- UK)
Rich and poor gap 'remains high' Jul 30, 2009
Those in the bottom two-fifths of income levels received 57% of cash benefits such as Income Support, Pension Credit, Child Benefit and Incapacity Benefit. These benefits made up more than half (58%) of the income of the poorest fifth of the population and 2% of the richest fifth. (BBC News -- Business)
* Oldest mom dies, two-year-old twin sons left orphaned Jul 17, 2009
PARENTHOOD: Maria del Carmen Bousada lied about her age to receive fertility treatment and lived off child benefits and her state pension THE GUARDIAN , MADRID AND LONDON Friday, Jul 17, 2009, Page 6 ... They lived off the 600 euros (US$845) she received for her pension and from child benefit payments. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Council job cuts 'not inevitable' Jul 12, 2009
"Already think tanks have raised the issue of whether there ought to be more means testing, meaning should better off people get all the benefits like child benefit that they receive and perhaps they shouldn't in future. "And then of course. you could stop providing whole services if it was possible to do so. (BBC News -- UK)
Gordon Brown avoids 10p tax defeat Jul 8, 2009
" Some 30 Labour MPs had originally said they would join the Tories and Lib Dems in backing the amendment, but only 18 finally did after intensive lobbying of potential rebels by the Prime Minister. Treasury minister Stephen Timms said 90 per cent of those who lost out from the abolition of the 10p band had been fully compensated, and the average loss to those households who were still worse off was less than 1 a week. He warned that the amendment would leave the Government unable to collect... (ITV news, UK -- News)
Reforming Disability Benefits in On... Jul 1, 2009
When the Ontario Child Benefit was put into place, rates for ODSP as well as for OW were reduced in order to "get children off welfare". Spousal and Adult Dependent Income and Assets Counts Against ODSP Recipients. (Suite101.com)
Thank god, we were born in First World Jun 28, 2009
9% more of its GDP to provide universal coverage for pension, basic healthcare, child benefit and unemployment assistance. The bill would be even smaller for other developing countries. (India Times, India)
Babysitter beat toddler to death Jun 27, 2009
She was left with killer Karl McCluney while her mother went to claim a child benefit cheque in July last year. McCluney took her to a park before attacking her at a house in Salford, Greater Manchester. (BBC News -- UK)
Help with paying your bills Jun 25, 2009
If you have not had the payment before and are not getting a state pension or another benefit (apart from housing benefit, council tax benefit or child benefit), the payment will not be automatic: you need to apply ... Householders with children under 16 living in the property, who are claiming child benefit with the child receiving disability living allowance. (BBC News -- UK)
Personal data exposed on website Jun 19, 2009
Page last updated at 07:26 GMT, Friday, 19 June 2009 08:26 UK. By Kevin Peachey and Bill Wilson Personal finance and business reporters, BBC News. (BBC News -- Business)
Communications minister to quit Jun 16, 2009
The appointment followed a difficult few months for Mr Brown, following the run on Northern Rock, the loss of 25m people's child benefit records and negative press after the prime minister decided not to call an autumn election. But nine months later he was moved to the department for business as a junior minister for communications, technology and broadcasting and elevated to the House of Lords. (BBC News -- Technology)
Pension details of 109,000 stolen May 29, 2009
They held the entire child benefit database, including the personal details of 25 million people, covering 7. 25 million families. (BBC News -- UK)
Office intruder May 7, 2009
But many, such as the loss of 25 million child benefit records were the result of human error. Data leakage. (BBC News -- Technology)
Mozambique: 'Just Give Money to the Poor' [interview] May 5, 2009
To begin with, since most Mozambicans live in extended families with children and older people, the most efficient and non-divisive system of cash transfers would be a universal child benefit and non-contributory pension. IPS: Your paper does not mention the feminisation of poverty. (allAfrica.com)
Alistair Darling urged to get a g... Apr 20, 2009
The think-tank says that spending should be cut by 30 billion by abolishing child benefit for the wealthiest families, slashing doctors pay by 10 per cent and cancelling defence projects ... Reform Cut public spending by 30 billion by cutting doctors pay, abolishing child benefit for wealthy families and ending defence projects such as Eurofighter. (New York Post -- Business)
Warning of food price hike crisis Apr 4, 2009
The government says it believes food prices have peaked and it is tackling child poverty through increased child benefits and child tax credits ... " As the UK imports about 40% of its food, the weak pound has driven up prices. Unpredictable world harvests and a spike in oil prices last year have also played a part. However, as British produce comes into season, prices are expected to drop. Treasury minister Stephen Timms said a raft of benefits due to come in on Monday would help struggling... (BBC News -- UK)
Open juvenile courts' doors to public Apr 1, 2009
In my decade of experience helping families who have been falsely accused of child abuse, I have never seen a child benefit from juvenile court secrecy. The only beneficiaries of closed juvenile courts are the courts themselves and state agencies such as the state Department of Family and Children's Services. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Ontario's Duncan Presents Ontario B... Mar 28, 2009
That increases the total monthly per child benefit to $92 from the current $50. The province also promised to match federal funding for social housing of $625 million over the next two years. (Suite101.com)
Ontario budget highlights Mar 27, 2009
$1,100: Low- and middle-income families will receive up to $1,100 per child under Ontario Child Benefit payments starting this July, providing additional payments to 115,000 families. 2015-16: The fiscal year the government expects to break even, and have its deficit eliminated. (Globe and Mail)
Parsing Ontario's budget Mar 26, 2009
Will the extra costs associated with a broader tax offset any enhanced provisions to the Child Benefit. Those without children and in poverty will certainly not benefit. (Globe and Mail)
Ontario to double infrastructure spending Mar 24, 2009
Last Friday, Mr. McGuinty took aim at the province's most vulnerable citizens by announcing that the child benefit available for low-income families will nearly double to $1,100 a year beginning in July. He also said the province will invest $620-million to match federal funds to renovate and build new social housing. (Globe and Mail)
UK 'lags behind' in helping poor Mar 18, 2009
A Treasury spokesman said targeted support had included bringing forward an increase in child benefit, worth an extra 22 on average to families, and a 25 rise in child tax credit. When it comes to helping the poorest people in the financial crisis we are lagging way behind. (BBC News -- UK)
The baby shambles of Alfie Patten and Chantelle Steadman Feb 15, 2009
One estimate put their potential hand-outs, including income support, housing benefit, child tax credits and child benefit, at 30,000 a year ... Why don't the Conservatives, Labour and Lib Dems not make a pledge to scrap child benefit. (Times Online)
Bank's profit to top 6bn Feb 10, 2009
25 million families claiming child benefit have been mislaid. . (Yahoo News -- Banking & Financial Services)
Briefing: Surveillance: Theyre watching ... Feb 7, 2009
New issues, like the loss of the [child benefit] data discs, would come up all the time. MAJOR CULPRITS Huge DNA database and CCTV highlighted. (Times Online)
