OPINION

       People who can't afford kids should not have them (Image: Getty)

       Yes, I said it. And I’ll say it again louder for those at the back: the taxpayer is not your baby daddy. Britain is on its knees, buckling under the weight of a welfare system that too often rewards poor choices. Of course, people fall on hard times. Of course, people lose jobs, get sick, or need temporary support. That’s exactly what the benefits system was built for – a safety net to help, not a lifestyle.

       But increasingly, we’re seeing people treat it like a family planning scheme. No job, no income, no intention of working, but plenty of time to pop out another kid. And who picks up the tab? We do. The hard-working public. The people who actually think before they breed.

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       I grew up on a council estate. I know what it means to struggle. I watched my parents stretch every pound, work extra jobs, give up holidays, luxuries, just to make sure my sisters and I were fed and clothed. They didn’t moan. They didn’t blame the government. They got on with it. And crucially, they didn’t have more children than they could afford.

       I’ve got one child and I’d love a second. But unless I start earning more cash, it’s not happening. Why? Because I live in the real world. Where bills exist. Where children cost money. Where being a parent comes with responsibilities, not just rights.

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       And this is what too many seem to forget: children are not a human right. They are a massive commitment. They are a burden as well as a joy. They are not accessories to brighten your day or give you something to post on social media. They are living, breathing people who deserve stability, structure and opportunity.

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       If you can’t afford to feed yourself without government help, why on earth are you bringing another mouth into the world?

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       You’ll hear all the usual excuses. “It’s my body, my choice.” Sure. But it’s our wallets, our taxes, and our public services that take the hit. “Money isn’t everything.” True. But try telling that to a child who’s going without heating or hot meals while mum’s chain-smoking and dad’s on his Xbox.

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       Let’s stop pretending this is about compassion. Real compassion is making sure your child has a fair shot at life – not dragging them into a situation where poverty is all they’ve ever known. Real compassion is choosing not to have a child you can’t care for, no matter how much you want one.

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       Being poor doesn’t make you a bad parent, but choosing to have a child you can’t afford – knowing full well the taxpayer will pick up the slack – isn’t just irresponsible, it’s bloody selfish.

       This country needs an urgent reset on what responsibility actually means. If you can’t work, fine, society will help you. If you fall on hard times, we’ll be there. But if you choose to start or grow a family while not lifting a finger to support it? Then no. Enough is enough. You don’t get to make personal choices and expect the public to pay the price.