[Shasown]

Originally Posted by angus58

And why the hell are we giving child benefit payments to eastern european immigrant workers who send it back home to the tune of millions? Has this country completely taken leave of its senses? Why are we funding child benefit payments for children living in their home countries of Poland, Rumania etc? These payments should be STOPPED immediately, there is no justification for British workers funding the children of economic immigrants. That would slash the welfare burden quite considerably and free up more money for those in this country who have actually CONTRIBUTED throughout their working lives, like pensioners.

Just to correct you there, child benefit is only paid to those whose children are resident in the UK

Being present in the UK
To get Child Benefit both you and your child must be physically present in the UK. But you'll still be able to get it if you're out of the country for short, temporary stays, like on holiday.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/...rrivals-uk.htm

But just to really hack you off, migrant workers from EEA countries can claim Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, which adds up to a lot more money in their pocket than Child Benefit.

Unfortunately not a lot can be done about that as its one of the benefits of the EEA policies that workers can pick up tax allowances from their own country and the country they work in.

Its good to know should you decide to work in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, or Slovenia you will be able to sign up for the pittances oops allowances their workers get.