Anyone clued up and can help?

If you’ve bought a house with your savings then no it’s not likely you’d be able to claim UC as your investment in the house is taken into consideration and you don’t get help towards mortgage unless it’s part ownership.

Your husband earns too much. He would have to be earning minimum wage for you to claim. And even if you could claim they won't help with mortgage payments like they do with rent

Similar situation here wouldn't be able to claim UC and even if we did it would be make a dent in the mortgage so although it's tough working it's the only option rrally

If the house you're buying is your main residence then it's not considered an investment for UC, but without knowing your full circumstances it's impossible to say if you would be able to claim. I think after age 3 there are expectations for you to be in work with UC, but you could work and claim childcare costs through UC to make it more worthwhile.

You might be better off going to your local job centre and speaking to someone there. It all gets very confusing when it comes to owning properties and higher salaries. The job centre will give you all the info you need and will be able to advise on what you can do too

Sadly this is a dilemma most working parents face when they go back to work. If you are in a fortunate enough position that you are buying a house I find it very difficult to sympathise. It does make me angry that working mothers are contributing their taxes to support SAHM when we all want to be with our little ones. If you can work you should, welfare should be for those falling on hard times. I’m sure my opinion won’t be popular but it angers me that someone thinks the state should pay for them to stay home whilst the rest of us pay have to leave our babies at nursery.

lol, I’ve worked my arse off since I was 14 saving every penny to buy a house. And at times, including up until 39 week pregnant, I was working 2 jobs. I wouldn’t say it’s a case of being fortunate, it’s a case of discipline. I was on SMP (like most) and returned to work before my baby was even 9 months old. I’ve budgeted and pre planned everything most my life - we had the smallest wedding that cost under £300 and don’t spend money on pointless things. I did not touch the savings that I’ve been building for the last 10 years. Yes it’s been a struggle and yes it’s been hard but it’s hardly fortunate working full time and paying for my son to be in nursery full time.

I don’t doubt you’ve worked really hard in life to get where you are - good for you. My issue is that you seem to think you can just claim benefits to stay at home whilst the rest of us mums go back to work and sacrifice quality time with our babies and spend an absolute eye watering fortune on childcare.