Overview

This bill proposes changes to the Child Benefit system in the UK. It aims to allow parents to receive a higher rate of child benefit in a child's early years, with a correspondingly lower rate in later years, maintaining the overall total amount received.

Description

The Front-loaded Child Benefit Bill amends the Child Benefit (Rates) Regulations 2006. The key change is the introduction of an optional sliding scale for child benefit payments. Parents would be able to choose to receive a higher weekly amount in a child's early years, with this amount decreasing as the child grows older. The total amount received over the child's childhood would remain unchanged compared to the current system. This option is subject to the provision that no rate can be lower than a previously prescribed rate.

The bill applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and would come into effect immediately upon passage.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to change the overall amount of government spending on child benefit. The redistribution of payments over a child's lifespan would involve no net increase or decrease in total expenditure.

Groups Affected

• Parents of young children: May benefit from increased support in the early years of their child's life, potentially easing financial pressures.
• Parents of older children: May receive a reduced amount of child benefit in later years.
• Government: No change in overall expenditure is anticipated.

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