It is absurd that upon the birth of a fourth child, myself and my partner’s housing benefit dropped due to the increased Child Tax Credits. I work a 44 hour week and all that has happened, rather than receive increased help with the new addition to the family, is that the increase in Tax Credits has been negated by the decrease in Housing Benefit, meaning our net household wealth has stayed the same, with a further mouth to feed. Child Tax Credits should be exempt from being counted as income for the purposes of Housing Benefit etc.

Currently VAT on children’s clothing is charged for ages 14+. If like us you have a child who has always been off the growth chart since birth and is currently age 10, but having to wear men’s clothing and shoes, then you too will be having to pay VAT on clothing for a child.
As a general rule our children are becoming larger/taller than before and this current guideline is outdated.
It would be comforting to know that our Government took the age of childhood seriously and decided that a child is a child whilst being dependent upon its parents (and that children’s clothes are still not luxury items).