Jessica Morgan
(Picture: Handout)According to a man, the UK needs to introduce a “negative child benefit” tax for those who do not have children. In a piece published in The Sunday Times, demographer Paul Morland had some ideas to prevent crippling workforce shortages, and combat plummeting birth rates and an ageing population. He suggested we adopt a “grow our own” policy, create a “pro-natal” culture, have the Queen send a telegram whenever a family has a third child (woohoo!), retarget child benefit to “incentivise families to have children” and educate people that getting pregnant becomes more difficult with age.
I’ve got a better idea: let’s all collectively bash our heads against a wall. Yes, the UK’s birth rate is at a record low, with fertility rates for women under 30 at their lowest levels since records began in 1938. But there are some very valid factors behind this. Many people struggle with fertility. Some make a personal choice not to have children. Others decide against it due to the climate crisis. But there’s one issue rarely taken into consideration: finances and the rising cost of living.
