For a breakdown of Engineers salaries look here

Starting salaries 18,000 to 29,000

Qualified engineers (yours was apparently skilled) 35,000 - 45,000

Experienced engineers (maybe this suits your "skilled" category) 65,000


I can tell you for a fact that a single parent receives the maximum income support at just over £50 a week. Child benefit (available to everyone) £20, child tax credit £45 a week.

Beyond that, a single parent may claim their exact rent in housing benefit.

In most cities in England this equates to about 16,000 a year.


A two parent family DOES NOT QUALIFY as only one parent is needed to provide care for the child.


So,

1, they would not qualify

2, they would not have anything like the same income as a "skilled" engineer.