with a further 10bn in further cuts being sought -- makes you wonder what exactly the point of stinging parents so severely for such little gain is. With the announcement of these cuts adding to what has already been a financially tumultuous time for people below the poverty line I doubt there has ever been a worse time to be a poor or sick parent in the UK. That figure of 800 pcm the Daily Mail came up with is based on a report that includes many items not necessary for someone who does need to claim benefits. Three-quarters of the report's total of over 200,000 over 21 years of upbringing is comprised of education 52k, childcare 54k, holidays 13k, babysitting 11k, and absolutely unnecessary expenses like driving lessons, buying a first car and luxury gifts at 12k. Subtracting all these -- not-needed by parents who are constantly at home -- brings the total down to 50k over 21 years or just about 200 pcm. I am almost certain other figures like food at 18k can be reduced further. Really? 18,000 for food or equivalent of 69 pcm for only one child? One can buy food for a family of four at that price! Maybe they have based their figures on ready-meals instead? Time to get realistic instead of demanding all you can as if we are born on this planet with a set of universal rights attached to us. We all have to work for what we need and