[Cherry Christmas]

Originally Posted by Quantum Boy

You can't have a society where having kids is broadly unaffordable, tell British people not to have children if they can't independently afford it, insist on lower migration numbers, and expect a functional economy.

Declining populations are not economically functional, to keep a population static or increasing you need to either let British people have more kids, or accept more immigration. There is no option number 3. I agree in principle that having children should be affordable for the people having them, but the situation in the UK currently is that if that was adhered to, birth rates would be so low that it would be unsustainable for more than a few decades.

It's a simple fact that in 2025 most couples of "child bearing age" can't independently afford to run a family home. Which is a shocking situation for the country, not an individual failing.

I can't help but think if more Dads were willing to stick around things might not be as bad, the simple fact is people need to stop thinking the state is going to give them more than a basic standard of living, if you need more you need to do it yourself ...as a positive she is in a one bed flat, it could be much worse she could be in a hotel room, she says the bedroom is full, with the kids sleeping on matresses on the floor, a bunk bed might solve the issue while they are all small, and get herself a decent sofa bed....she could make it work half the junk in that room could be sold off, you dont need to have a slide in your house for instance ...