Sweeping benefit changes have prompted much debate.

Child benefit is the latest financial support to come under scrutiny. For families who are comfortably off, child benefit could be seen as ‘pin money’, but to those less well-off that little extra can go a long way.

While higher-wage earners may argue that they pay more tax, so are justified in claiming some benefit, ordinary taxpayers could argue that in these financially-challenging times they shouldn’t be expected to contribute to benefits for those families who don’t need it.

The review of the benefits system is aimed at addressing injustices, but critics claim that people on low incomes, or who are genuinely prevented from working due to ill health, are among those who are caught up in the cuts.

Surely in the 21st century we should not have pensioners being forced to make the decision whether to heat their homes or eat, and families shouldn’t be worrying about whether or not they can afford to feed their children?

Mother of five, Ruth Weston, from Shipley criticises what she sees as the “injustice” of the child benefit system. As it stands, families with one parent with a taxable income of more than £50,000 will lose some of the benefit, and it will be withdrawn entirely if one parent earns above £60,000.

However, where two parents work and both earn just under £50,000, they can keep their benefit, while a family with a single earner – or single parent – on £51,000 will lose part of theirs.

“I think there is an injustice about it. It is the people at the other end, the poor working families, they are the ones who are really affected because they have withdrawn other benefits,” says Ruth, referring to changes in housing benefit, childcare and other financial assistance which have left many ordinary working families struggling to make ends meet.

Ruth appreciates the difference child benefit can make to a family’s income. “I have been at the end where you are waiting for child benefit so you can do the shopping. If you are on a low income, it can make that much of a difference,” she says.

She says those earning over £50,000 wouldn’t be worrying about whether they could afford a pair of school shoes, whereas less well-off families could use their child benefit to buy essentials like shoes.

“It was a universal benefit and now it isn’t,” says Ruth.

Mum-of-two, Alison Widdup says: “I think it is desperately unfair for some families rather than others. If you are going to have benefits, they have to be fair.”

Siobhan Freegard, founder of parenting website Netmums, says: “A recent study by Netmums found more than half of parents recognised the need to play their part in paying back the deficit and the majority support moves to reduce child benefit payments to higher earners.

“However, the system coming into force is fraught with potential problems. Many people feel it is very unfair that a family where two earners each take home £49.5k making a combined income of £99,000 will keep the benefit while a sole earner family on £51,000 will begin to lose it. This is viewed as an attack on families where one parents stays home to care for the child, and also on single parents working very hard to provide for their family.

“There is also huge concern from families whose income varies, such as the self-employed or those with commission-based jobs, as to whether they will lose or keep their cash.

“Furthermore there are worries about the cost of administering the tax returns needed to claw back the money from those families on over £50,000.

“So while there is broad support for the move from most families in principle, it remains to be seen how it will fare in practice.”