To think that if Heather on EastEnders was that broke

[RunAwayWife]

She would have taken the veg off of billy,

And id Dot advertising those chocolates???

Why did Heather leave George at home? Why not give him to Dot? Dot looks after everyone's children.

Heather makes me want to be sick.

No one is that poor. Surely the Government give out free money and stuff for people like that.

I don't understand why she's not getting tax credits and child benefit and council tax benefit and housing benefit and all that palaver?

I don't understand how she works 3 jobs, doesn't have to pay for child care and still has no money at the end of the week.

Heather's always been portrayed as a bit simple. I don't think she's meant to be savvy enough to sort her benefits out.

Ladyofthemanor why does Heather make you want to be sick ? And do you genuinely think that no one is that poor?

It's just her hair really upsets me.

I don't believe there is a single person that can be "that poor"..especially living in privately rented accommodation, working 3 jobs and the Govt giving out free money.

She would've taken the vegetables from Billy if she was that concerned about her child eating.

She does pay for childcare, though. Wasn't it mentioned the other day?

LadyOf - some people are that poor. We have been, and we both work full-time.

Yes, why does she make you feel sick?

Because of pride

presmably they're writing her out so she can marry her Internet toy boy in real life

If she's working she won't get much of the 'free money' though.

Is it her hairbands?

I've spend the last few episodes shouting at the telly "Go on benefits you dozy mare!"

Tax credits would cover her childcare, and unless she is in debt she should just be able to manage. OK, I know she is in london, and her rent is probably humongous, but surely if she were on benefits she wouldn't have to worry about council tax.....either she has debts we doe't know about or a very expensive cheese habit.

Off-topic- She looks like a cabbage patch doll.

She had no electricity or gas - how could she cook the veggies?

I've already said.

So people in this country, live in private housing, and have no electricity, no food, no heating and no benefit help? That's reality is it? Wish I'd known that, I would've protested about paying tax for other people to claim.

Cheese isn't cheap.

Yep, that's reality.

Sorry, that was rambling...but it's a stupid sorty line...this is how things will be in a few years when Cameron has really got a grip, surely, not today when we are still reaping Browns benefits.

Frizz, horrific fringe and god awful hairbands.

I also hate that pinny she wears when she works in the shop.

She should take Darren to court and get him to pay a fixed amount every month.

I get really annoyed by storylines like this...then remind myself it's not real.

and then get annoyed all over again the very next time it's on

rambling rosa you might be right about not knowing what to claim - but they could make a really positive story out of that, with her getting what she's entitled to.

Is she being written out? Wasn't sure which way current storyline was going.

she was in arrears with her council tax, and it spiraled out of controled. good old dot took her down the cab.

Raw veggies have more vitamins than cooked. If they were THAT hungry they would eat them raw.

My SIL and one of my best friends are single parents on benefits, and although neither of them live in London, this is certainly not the reality for them.

Yes, I can see a baby eating a raw cabbage.

Sadly it's reality for many people NOT on benefits.

Heather is a great character, though, I don't want her to die of carbon monoxide poisoning!