We definitely send the wrong signal out to people, the message seems to be have lots of children and dont work and we'll hand you life on a plate but work and you'll be less well off as you need to pay taxes to allow others the choice. No wonder we have such a high teen pregnancy rate.
If a parent point blank refuses to take responsibility and provide for a child then SS should step in rather than simply hand more out in benefits.
Given their are granchildren involved and no working adults in the house, the benefit cycle is already continuing. Handing her a nice new house wont encourage a work ethic in the children in any shape or form.
People are allowed to do it though as on here alone many believe its her choice, never mnd the amount of money the state is paying her a month could be spent on schools or hospitals. It doesnt matter if she gets the rent to pay over or it goes direct to the LL, its still cash she claims. Earners dont deduct their rent when stating their income, its a bill like any other. The benefits cap obviously cant come soon enough.