unite Life
Young and gifted
members
face tough times too
BY MITCH HOWARD Uphill struggle BY MITCH HOWARD
Debbie Miller* has just finished maternity leave – her baby girl is now nine months old. Her story – like so many other young mothers’ is not unusual.
Despite a degree and work experience Debbie faces having to go on to Jobseekers’ Allowance as she is unable to find work. And her husband is about to lose his working tax credit as a result of the government’s changes.
When her husband worked 16 hours a week he used to get tax credit but now he has to work at least 24 hours a week to qualify. He is working as a sales assistant for 24 hours a week at present but his hours are about to be reduced so he will lose the tax credit.
“We both want to work and the benefit cuts will mean even less money for us even though my husband does work,” says Debbie. “I’ve applied for everything but there just aren’t the jobs.
“Things are really tight, especially as we are paying rent and council tax. I really don’t want to have to give up my car because it is very difficult with the baby not to have a car – and we live on a very steep hill.
“People are under the impression that you get a lot of money when you are on benefits but that is not the case at all.”
34 uniteWORKS March/April 2013
Debbie’s previous employment at a students’ union came to an end when she was expecting the baby. She was on a fixed contract which was not renewed and she feels the underlying reason was that the employer wanted to get rid of her because she was pregnant.
Their outgoings for rent, council tax and bills are about £700 per month, while their income is about £800 which means £100 left for food, including baby food, petrol and anything else such as car tax, insurance, nappies and other things a baby needs.
She was told that she would be entitled to income support but found that this was not the case. Debbie and her husband have applied for housing benefit and relief from council tax but have not yet been informed whether their application has been successful.
Debbie has a master’s degree in archaeology but has so far been unable to get any kind of job in archaeology or indeed any job requiring a degree. “I have worked since I was 15 and am now 24 and my husband is desperate for full-time work,” she says. “I can’t get a job in what I’ve studied for so it is likely that I will now have to take a low-paid job and then put my child in a nursery.”
*name changed
Paul Carter/
reportdigital.co.uk
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