FIVE things you need to know about… CHILD TAX CREDITS

1. Child Tax Credit is paid to families with children, regardless of whether you and your partner work

2. It is payable to couples with a combined income of up to £58,000

3. The amount paid out is divided into two parts: a family element and a child element. All families with incomes of less than £50,000 a year will get at least £545 a year from the family element of the credit.

4. Families with incomes up to £13,910 a year should also qualify for the child element, which is currently £1,765 a year per child.

5. For more information, visit hmrc.gov.uk or call 0845 300 3900, and to apply to a claim pack, call 0800 500 222.

Did you know…?

You are entitled to free dental treatment and free prescriptions throughout your pregnancy and for a year after your baby’s born. If you’re on a low income and/or receive income support, you may also be entitled to free milk, fruit and vegetables and vitamins under the Healthy Start scheme. See direct.gov.uk for more details.

58% - the proportion of new fathers who took less than half of their statutory paternity leave, according to a poll carried out on behalf of savings bank ING Direct. Hmm, we bet they were more than happy to play an equal part in the conception…

A woman’s work is never done

The amount of mums going out to work has risen by more than half a million in the past decade, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics, with more than 70 per cent of married and co-habiting mothers holding down a job.

Not all of us reckon we’re ‘having it all’, though – a recent YouGov poll in First magazine revealed that more than a third of working mothers would give up work altogether if they could.

WORKING WITH A BUMP

Reader panellist, Katy Grange, is a team leader at HMP Belmarsh

How did your bosses react when you told them you were pregnant?

They were very happy and supportive and, as I’m not the first pregnant employee, they knew exactly what to do. I was given a risk assessment, which is reviewed weekly. The prisoners I work with know I’m pregnant, but they’re dealing with their own issues and haven’t really mentioned it.


Have you had to change anything about the way you work?

Pregnant prison officers usually don’t have any prisoner contact and I thought I might have to do community work, but I put in a special request to retain contact with the prisoners, so now I do group work with other prison officers present, rather than one-to-one work, which is considered too dangerous.


Are you planning on going back to your job after maternity leave?

No. I always said if I was lucky enough to have children, I’d like to spend as much time as possible with them, so I’m going to pursue counselling work outside the prison.


What will you do for childcare?

Initially I’ll just work two days a week and either Mark’s mum will look after the baby, or I’ll choose a placement with a nursery on-site.


How will it affect you financially?

We’ll have to change our priorities as we’ll be living off Mark’s income, so it’ll mean less going out, and fewer holidays, but we’re happy to make those sacrifices to spend more time with the baby. Our clubbing days are over!


Have you spent much on baby products?

Nothing so far, apart from £25 on a second-hand Cosatto pram. My neighbour was going to advertise it in the paper, but I snapped it up, gave it a wash and it’s as good as new – bargain. My mum and Mark’s mum have spent loads though!