My husband and I are among the many families unfairly penalized by the current child benefits income threshold system. We have been hit with a charge because one of us earns over the individual threshold of £50k, despite our total household income being significantly less than that of a couple each earning £50k. This system is not just unfair, it's illogical.

The current regulations stipulate that if an individual earns over £50k, they are expected to pay a tax charge on their child benefits. However, this does not take into account the combined household income. A couple can each earn £50k (a combined household income of £100k) and avoid this tax charge entirely. Meanwhile, households like ours - where one partner earns slightly more than the threshold and the other significantly less - are penalized despite having a lower total income.

Furthermore, HMRC has the power to backtrack years and add interest on these charges as if it were a loan – another aspect we find deeply unjustified.

We believe that child benefits should be based on total household earnings rather than individual incomes in order to create a fairer system for all families across our nation. It is time for HMRC to review its policies in light of these discrepancies which disproportionately affect single-income households.

We urge you to sign this petition calling for reforming child benefits' rules so they reflect fairness and equality among all UK families regardless of their earning structure.