Have any other single parents found that in fact, it is better not to work as you have more money? I recently gave up work after 7 years. I was on a fairly good wage & worked 25hrs per week. I got working family tax credit & child tax credit every month but had to pay full rent & single persons council tax (which is high in my area) so although there was a good amount of money coming in, most of it was paid back out again. I sat & worked out that i was in fact, about £15 per week better off if i simply gave up work & got income support & had my rent & council tax paid for. I have been looking for another job (getting bored after 4 months not working!) but know that as soon as i start work again, i will struggle more. Can't even gain from overtime as the more you earn this year, the less tax credit you get next year. Where's the incentive???
Originally posted by jenny35: Where's the incentive???
Isn't part of the "incentive" around the long term view? There may not be any difference now - but what about in 10 years time when the work you put in now enables you to have moved up the career ladder into better paid work?
You could be earning several times what you do now?
Think about it. Many graduates starting in work would be better off being a single parent than working. I know that I would have been.
But they take the long term term view about building up my sills and experience to be able to earn far more in the long run.
What's £750 a year for a few years against say £10,000 a year (or more) for 20-30 years?
