Indeed: it’s not perfect – at the very least, the inequalities inherent in the tax system get in the way, plus the fact that it’s based on total income, not disposable income which invariably makes it slightly biased in favour of the rich. Not to mention the fact that (taking a truly socialist perspective) different people might have different needs that aren’t covered within the household budget (e.g. for medication).

But it’s pretty good, and it can be expanded in interesting ways too: for example, two primary or monogamous couples sharing a household might opt to each use 100% means-assessment within each couple, but 50% means-assessment between the couples. The maths still isn’t very difficult (although my sample sheet won’t handle it without a little work) but it ‘works’.

Good luck!