Latest news with #singleparent
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
I'm pregnant after affair with wealthy man but he won't take any responsibility… should I contact his mum?
DEAR DEIDRE: A PASSIONATE but short-lived affair with a wealthy man has ended with me now expecting his baby. I am a 30-year-old single mum. I've been divorced for two years and have two beautiful daughters, aged seven and five. One night I was lonely at home after they had gone to bed and I set myself up on a dating app. It was quite encouraging to see the responses I got and it wasn't long before I had arranged to meet up with a guy. He was 37, single and very, very good-looking. He told me he was a financial adviser and he was clearly pretty well-off. We went to a bar for a few drinks and afterwards I went back to his penthouse flat. We used condoms but one night I noticed the condom was torn. Still, I thought it was safe and put any worries out of my head — until I missed my period. I was pregnant. When I messaged him, he told me he wanted nothing to do with the baby or me. I was so shocked at his tone and messaged back to tell him I'd booked a termination. Predictably he replied, telling me it was the right decision and to get rid. But before my appointment, my maternal instincts kicked in and I couldn't go ahead with an abortion. I told him I'd had a change of heart and cancelled the appointment. Since then I have sent him updates of my pregnancy including photos of ultrasound scans. It hasn't made any difference. He is adamant he doesn't want to be a father or take any responsibility. He is from a wealthy background and I am certain he hasn't told anyone about this. He is still on the dating app and acting as though nothing has happened. I know I can cope on my own and my daughters are excited at having another sibling. I am wondering whether I should contact his mum and tell her she is going to be a grandmother. Why should she miss out? Is this a good idea? He can't abandon you either. He has a legal obligation to pay towards his child's upkeep even if he doesn't want to be involved in their life. HE WANTS ME AS I'M A VIRGIN DEAR DEIDRE: AFTER a perfect first date with a lovely guy, he has told me he only wants a casual, physical thing. I am not sure if this is such a bad idea. I am 18 and he is 20. We met through a mutual friend a couple of weeks ago. I was so excited when he asked me out on a date. We ended up going for a drink in town before heading off into our local park for an impromptu picnic. It was so romantic and I thought it was the beginning of something really special. We talked about anything and everything and had loads of things in common. Then he told me that he wasn't looking for a girlfriend. He just wants someone to hook up with occasionally and keep things casual. I am still a virgin. He said that because of that he likes me even more. He has promised to look after me and make our first time special but is it a good idea? DEIDRE SAYS: This guy is investing nothing in you emotionally. He doesn't want a girlfriend, he just wants sex and to be your first. He has also made that pretty plain. You owe him nothing, so only have sex when you are ready and when you are with the right guy. You could be setting yourself up to get very hurt and feeling used. Tell him being so casual just isn't your scene. My support pack Learning About Relationships explains more. SO REGRET FINISHING WITH HER DEAR DEIDRE: SPLITTING up with my girlfriend was the worst decision I ever made. I realised that I'd made a big mistake when she spotted me at a beer festival in town. I am 34 and she is 33. We split up just over a year ago after being together for three years. We just seemed to be drifting apart and things were stale – or so I thought at the time. It was my decision to end our relationship, and I know she was heartbroken when I told her how I felt. We have been able to stay friends and I see her out and about. She has a new guy now. She seems really happy with him whereas I have not been able to move on. She told me they have plans to go to New Zealand next year. It is a place I have also wanted to visit for many years. I know I made a terrible mistake in letting her go. DEIDRE SAYS: Please don't beat yourself up over this. You made a decision that felt right at the time. The chances are if you and she got back together you would soon feel the same way all over again. She has put you behind her and you have to get on with your life. My support pack Moving On will help you to do this. Start planning your own holiday now. It will give you something to look forward to. There are lots of single traveller websites if you don't want to travel alone. SPITEFUL EXES KEEPING KIDS AWAY FROM ME DEAR DEIDRE: MY daughter's mother says I can only see our girl for a few hours in the morning on my birthday, rather than having her stay with me overnight as originally planned. It means she will miss out on seeing my parents too as they were going to arrive in time for a celebration dinner. I'm 37 and my daughter's ten. I know my ex is doing it to punish me because I can't pay her this month. I also have a son by a different woman. He is almost 13 but I barely see him at all. His mother has virtually alienated him against me so all I get is an occasional text and a visit once in a blue moon. I am doing my best to provide for both of my kids, but I have recently changed jobs and won't get my first wages for another week, which is why I can't pay my daughter's mum her monthly maintenance until later. I know she will have twisted it and told my little girl that I don't care about her. It is all lies but this is what she is like, as we had a bad break-up. I'm in a bad way. I feel like everyone's against me. Sometimes I think it would just be the easier option for everyone if I ended it all. DEIDRE SAYS: This is heartbreaking for you and your children too. It is cruel of your exes to deny you contact. I wonder whether you gave your daughter's mum the heads-up that your money would be late this month. Tell her the cash will be coming soon. If she won't speak to you, is there someone such as a friend or relative who can mediate between you? If not, mediation could really help ( For more advice check out Both Parents Matter ( 0300 300 363). If you continue to feel down, call the Samaritans ( 116 123) and please do see your GP too.
Japan Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
More kids going hungry during school holidays as food costs soar, survey finds
A growing number of children in single-parent households are eating two meals or fewer a day during school holidays, as rising food and utility prices place additional pressure on families already struggling to make ends meet, according to a survey by Tokyo-based nonprofit Good Neighbors Japan. The group surveyed 2,105 parents and guardians in early June, all of whom use its food bank program 'Good Gohan,' which distributes free groceries to low-income single-parent households. Around 96.1% of respondents were women, and 53.5% were in their 40s. Many families said the absence of school-provided lunches during long breaks leaves them unable to cover rising food costs. For 61.3% of respondents, household finances become 'much harder' during school holidays, while 36.4% reported that things become 'somewhat harder.' The most common coping mechanism at 62.9% was for parents to reduce their own food intake, with some noting that even their children had started holding back. 'I make meals only for the kids and live off their leftovers,' one parent wrote. 'My oldest son is in middle school and I feel awful that he tries not to eat too much.' Another wrote, 'Last winter break, I barely ate and collapsed from stomach pain. Now I try to at least eat once a day.' The survey also showed that the number of respondents saying that their children eat two meals or fewer a day during holidays was about 2.5 times higher than during the school term, at 32.2%. Ninety percent of respondents said it had become more difficult to prepare adequate meals compared with before recent inflation. The sharp rise in the price of rice was frequently cited as a major concern. 'Food prices are too high, at a time when they need nutrients most,' one parent wrote. 'I can't take time off to line up for discounted rice, and I'm afraid summer vegetable prices will soar too.' Good Neighbors Japan said many households face overlapping challenges of low income, unstable employment and limited time — with roughly half of survey respondents working nonregular jobs and earning less than ¥2 million ($13,400) annually. 'This issue puts both children's growth and parent's health at risk,' the group said in a statement. In response, the organization plans to expand food distribution during the upcoming summer break.
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Self-confessed ‘benefits scrounger' details how ‘broken' UC system keeps people stuck but trolls say she's ‘entitled'
A MOTHER and self-confessed 'benefits scrounger' has shared her honest thoughts on the 'broken' Universal Credit system. Amba Rose, a single mum from the UK, claimed that the system keeps recipients 'stuck' and means she can't earn a penny more than £1,600 a month. 2 Posting online, Amba, who works part-time in supported living, acknowledged that regardless of how many hours she works a month, she is limited to how much cash she takes home. As a result, the content creator is eager to 'ease the stigma' and believes the ' benefit system should be reviewed.' Not only this, but she shared her desire to 'grow,' 'progress' and 'do well' in her field of work, but claimed that she 'can't.' She thinks that the system doesn't support financial stability and claimed that she has even had to 'turn down' pay rises and often doesn't get paid for any additional meetings or training sessions she attends. Revealing all on her situation, Amba said: 'Benefits Britain, eat your heart out - I am a benefit scrounger and this is my take on the benefit system.' She then slammed: 'The benefit system is a shambles and it doesn't allow people to become financially independent - it keeps people stuck.' Getting candid on her situation, Amba acknowledged: 'I am a single parent household and I work as much as I can - I receive a Universal Credit top up and each month, regardless of what I work and regardless of my earnings, I will end up with the same money each month - and here's why I think it's flawed.' According to Amba, Universal Credit has a 'baseline of what they believe people can live off.' For her, that baseline is around £1,600 a month, which includes her earnings. She stressed that if she earned £1,400, Universal Credit would give her that top up of £200, and if she earned £1,000, they would give her a top up of £600. I lost 'everything' when UC stopped my £4.3k-month payment... now I've been sacked from my new job As a result, Amba, who has a five-year-old daughter, claimed to be 'stuck" in a hole. Amba, who typically works 24 hours a week, explained that she volunteers to work during the Christmas period, as it 'usually means a higher rate of pay.' How much Universal Credit can you get? TRYING to work out how much Universal Credit you can get can be overwhelming. There are so many different elements that can affect your claim and it makes the whole process even more complicated. There are several free calculators that you can use to help you get an estimate, such as Citizen's Advice, MoneySavingExpert, StepChange and Turn2Us. You will need: Details of all your income, such as existing benefits, tax credits, earnings from employment and your pensions, Details of your partner's income if you're married, in a civil partnership or living with someone as a couple. You will be assessed as a couple Information on any savings you have, How much you pay in council tax per year, and whether you get any discounts, reductions or exemptions, Details of your rent or mortgage payments, Employment and income information about anyone else living with you, such as grown-up children, Details about your carer's allowance if you receive it. You'll need to make sure that the information provided is as accurate as possible to get the truest estimate. But having said that, this isn't actually the case for this mother, as she acknowledged: 'Any extra I earn gets taken straight back off of me so that I'm at that base line of £1,600.' Not only this, but she then shared: 'As a society, I believe that this only creates a workforce that doesn't want to work - what is the incentive? What is the progression? There isn't one there and that's where the benefit system is flawed because you're keeping people in the same boat, keeping the rich rich and the poor poor.' Big divide The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ ambsrose24, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 62,200 views, 2,635 likes and 569 comments in just three days. But social media users were left totally divided by Amba's claims and many rushed to the comments to share their thoughts. One user sympathised: 'How extremely frustrating and upsetting for people like yourself that are working and trying your best to provide for your child.' A second chimed in: 'Yep. I had the exact same experience. There is zero incentive to work more. I worked this out quite quickly, and just worked the minimum I had to, and spent the extra time with my kids.' Whilst someone else wrote: 'Absolutely agree!! As someone who has lived on both sides of the line, it's horrendous!!' One person said: 'This is what's wrong with this country … let me get this right … you want work and keep all your benefits … how entitled are you … other people have to work their socks off to pay their bills with no Universal Credit top up.' Another added: 'Try working all week plus overtime to lose 40% of it to tax.' Meanwhile, a third snapped: 'If you want more money you'll have to work full time 40 hours a week, unfortunately that's life.'
Globe and Mail
14-07-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Prescription drug costs are forcing Canadians to make dangerous trade-offs
Heather Evans, 60, used to eat boxed macaroni and cheese three times a week, but not because she loved it. She had to scrimp on her food budget to afford the thousands of dollars a month for the medication keeping her alive. Ms. Evans was diagnosed with a chronic heart condition in her 30s. 'I had my first two heart attacks when I was 39. I didn't sleep for almost 10 months because I was afraid I wouldn't wake up, and I didn't want my five-year-old son to find me gone.' At the time, Ms. Evans was an unemployed single mom in Calgary with no health insurance benefits. Most prescription medications aren't covered under Canada's universal health care plan, meaning patients without extended benefits have to foot the bill. Canada is the only country with universal health care that does not have universal coverage for prescription drugs (outside hospitals). The cost of survival nearly broke Ms. Evans. 'You go to sleep with tears in your eyes, worried about the next day. If it wasn't for my doctor giving me samples for so many years, I don't know that I'd be here today.' As millions of Canadians struggle to cope with the cost of their medications, many have taken drastic steps to alleviate the pressure, often leading to a worsening of their symptoms over time. A 2024 survey by Leger found that nearly one in four Canadians (22 per cent) say they've split pills, skipped doses, or chosen not to fill or renew a prescription because of the cost. The survey also revealed that 1 in 10 Canadians living with chronic conditions have landed in emergency after their health worsened because they couldn't afford the medications they needed. 'There are real downstream impacts. If you can't access drugs for prevention purposes you end up burdening the health care system, and that's much more expensive,' says Manuel Arango, director of Health Policy and Advocacy for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. 'It's way more cost effective to provide these drugs and tear down affordability barriers, so that people can be healthy, manage their conditions and stay out of the emergency rooms.' Canada has a patchwork of public drug benefit programs (with varying eligibilities), along with many private insurance plans. But insurance coverage, while helpful, isn't a guarantee of affordability. The 2019 Hoskins report about pharmacare implementation found that about 7.5 million Canadians still face high out-of-pocket costs. Gaps in coverage are made worse by shifting work patterns and employer plans that offload costs onto workers, putting part-time, contract, and low-income workers most at risk. Canada's proposed national pharmacare plan aims to provide coverage for essential prescription medications. The federal government says the program will roll out in phases, and has already started with coverage for contraceptives and diabetes drugs in British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba and Yukon. The plan's advisory panel recommended covering medications for cardiac conditions, but they remain uncovered. 'We appreciate these initial steps the government has taken, but we need to move more quickly,' says Mr. Arango. 'We need to get on the same playing field as all other countries that have universal health care systems and institute universal drug coverage.' A recent study from Arthritis Research Canada (ARC) showed that for nearly 1 in 20 people aged 12 or older, cost is a major barrier to taking their medications as prescribed. Some groups face higher risks for non-adherence with prescriptions, including women, members of racialized communities and people with diverse sexual orientations. Each skipped dose has ramifications for patients, says Dr. Mary De Vera, an ARC senior scientist. 'Drugs are health care. So why is it so disjointed?' she says. 'The ideal situation is that we have a system that mirrors our medical system.' Ms. Evans is now the general manager of a GoodLife gym in Calgary, and has health insurance that covers her medication. Others are not as fortunate. She says she wishes decision-makers would put themselves in the shoes of families forced to choose between paying for food or their prescriptions. 'I want them to think about their own loved ones being in the same situation and tell me they wouldn't move a mountain to make sure they'd be okay. People are dying because they can't afford life-saving medications,' Mr. Evans says. 'It's so unjust and we need to do better.'
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I'm a pregnant mum-of-3 & I ONLY got £2.5k UC in June – after bills & nursery fees I'm in the minus & counting pennies
A PREGNANT mum-of-three has revealed that she 'only' received £2,565.12 from Universal Credit in June and is already in her overdraft. As a result, Millie, a 21-year-old from the UK, is counting pennies to survive. 2 The young mother, who is 'attempting to budget better and save more ' and previously revealed that nasty trolls call her a ' benefits scrounger ', gave her followers an insight into her monthly outgoings. The soon-to-be mum-of-four is expecting to give birth in September 2025, but explained that after her rent and bills, she is left in the red and 'skint' with three kids. The young woman, who has a job and also makes "a little bit of money" from her TikTok videos via the Creator Fund, took to social media, to get candid on how she is attempting to make ends meet. Millie, who is eligible for Universal Credit, which is given to UK residents with a low income or who need help with their living costs, as well as child benefits, said: 'Universal Credit only gave me £2,565.12 last month and so I am now counting my pennies to survive for this month.' The self-proclaimed 'dosser mum' then filmed herself in a supermarket, as she changed up her pennies for cash. Following this, she continued: 'After I paid my bills, which came to £854.82, I had £1,710.30 left.' The young mother previously explained that her nursery fees are 'absolutely through the roof', hence why her Universal Credit payment doesn't last long. 'My nursery fees for the month for three kids was £2,012.48 which left me with minus £302.18 and that isn't including food, petrol, electric, because I obviously do that all, pay as you go," she acknowledged. After using the coin machine to change up her savings, the content creator confirmed that she got a total of £7.33 extra to go towards her monthly costs. Showing off her receipt, Millie added: 'But yeah, that was my June breakdown of Universal Credit - let me know how much you got.' I'm a mum-of-5 on £1.5K Universal Credit per month - people think I'm popping kids out to get 'lots of money' but I still have to use food banks - its embarrassing The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ millie.2103, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 229,400 views in just 13 hours. Not only this, but her video has also amassed 3,564 likes, 13 comments and 209 shares. Am I entitled to Universal Credit? According to the GOV website, if you're on a low income or need help with your living costs, then you could be entitled to Universal Credit. To claim, you must live in the UK, be aged 18 or over (with some exceptions if you're 15 to 17), be under State Pension age, and have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments. Other circumstances are if you are out of work, or unable to work, for example because of a health condition. Social media users were stunned by Millie's clip and many raced to the comments to share their support. One person said: 'You're doing a great job Millie.' Another added: 'Cost of living is really hitting, I hope your situation gets better.' Eager to support, a third commented: 'Watched till the end [and] pushed all your buttons, hope it helps.' Meanwhile, someone else penned: 'Not to be nasty but do you really need to spend that much on nursery?' To this, Millie sarcastically replied: 'I don't like my kids so I palm them off.' How much is child benefit worth? THERE are two child benefit rates, one for the eldest child and another for younger children. You get £21.15 per week for your eldest or only child (£1099.80 a year) You get £14 for each of your other children (£728 per year, per child) You get the money for each child under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training) If families split up, how much you'll get for each child depends on how you claim. If you have 2 children and one stays with you and the other stays with your ex-partner, you'll both get £21.15 a week for each child. If one parent claims for all the children, you get £21.15 for the eldest and £14 for each younger child. Only one household can claim for each child
