Can the government take money out of your childs bank account?

I have heard stories of the government taking money from childrens bank accounts when their parents are on state benefits. Surely they can't do this without consent. I have twice heard this. One was apparently for the amount of 拢50.00 and the other for 拢10.00. If this is true then they are teaching the children the lesson that it is not worth saving your money as it is not safe.
Can the government take money out of your childs bank account?
May be possible if parents were on the fiddle, and put their money in account in child's name.
Reply:All savings accounts in the UK have tax taken at source on interest earned - UNLESS - you fill in a form that declares that you should not be paying tax and this is sent to HMRC. Banks and building societies should give you a copy of this form when you open an account for children.





There is a limit to the amount that can be paid into a childs account without attracting tax on the interest to avoid parents using this as a tax free savings route for themselves. It is pretty low, but banks and building societies can advise on this and ways to legally work around this so that you can save for the children.
Reply:you have to sign a taxing form so you dont have to pay
Reply:I have not heard of this, but I suspect it could only happen if the account was in one of the parent's names, and the government was seizing assets to repay an overpayment of benefits, and that would almost certainly only be a last resort after numerous attempts to get the parent(s) to repay it voluntarily.
Reply:Certain accounts have to be in the parents name until the child reaches a particular age (7 in some cases). If so these would be classed as the parent's assets until such time as the account transfers to the childs name.





However, no one should be taking money directly out of bank accounts without consent. (Tax on interest is a different issue - as a rule banks pay net but show 2 entries - kids don't pay tax so an exemption form needs to be completed).





It is the value of certain benefits (the means tested ones) that would be reduced if these accounts are determined to be the parent's assets/
Reply:they're not allowed - but they do. i totally agree with you, but i think its showing the children that our government is corrupt.