From 7/1/2013, Child Benefit moves from being a Universal Benefit to a means tested one. Critics say that although the new means test seems relatively cheap and simple it is unfair as it doesn’t look at joint income. The original Universal principle had tried to ensure that payments would get to children via the mother, would be in recognition of the costs involved in bringing up children and would mean that not just the poorest have a stake in the Benefits System.
Child Tax Credit of course still continues but is paid to families generally on a much lower joint income.