AIBU to think... benefit claiments in the DM talk a load of rubbish?

[ScarletFever]

This mother claims she has saved 350 per child for christmas, thats 3,850, however she also smokes (30 a week), 2 weeks in the Sun (with the whole lot)

Most people i know on benefits struggle and cant make ends meet, however shes saying she can and can spend all this money

^Mrs Prudham's husband Rob earns 1,600-a-month as a delivery driver, but their large family means they still get more than 28,000-a-year in benefits and tax credits

"Mother of 11 who says 'it's easy to claim benefits' plans bumper Christmas spending 4,000 of taxpayers' cash on children's presents including iPads and gold braceletsCheryl Prudham has attracted criticism for expensive holidays abroad
She insists it's right she gets handouts to cover the cost of her children
The 32-year-old says she's managed to save thousands for Christmas
She plans to buy iPads for four of her youngsters and jewellery for others
It comes after the family enjoyed two-week holiday in Menorca this summer"^

pulls up chair

And like a dutiful little DM sheep, you've passed your outrage along, posting to start a bunfight.

YABU just for that.

if they are getting that much money they're conning the system

I think benefits should taper getting less and less for each additional child

Claimants.

There's a certain point (well, a certain number of children) where you can start to live quite comfortably as long as you pass on clothing to the next child and cook in bulk etc. Depending on where you live too, of course. So it she gets help for 11 and does that, I can imagine it being quite true.

But this will be rare and that's why it's in the daily fail to be used to get people frothing. If they did articles about the people who just about feed themselves and their children, it wouldn't really fit their mission.

Oh gosh, another one of these. How ball-achingly original.

I think you'll find that apparent 'outrageous' comments are the result of the journalists doing a fine job of asking leading questions and twisting the answers and taking sentences out of context.

Regarding amounts, well, yes, tax credits are paid based on income and on number of children. That's the system set up by government and nobody is doing anything wrong by claiming what the government says they are entitled to. It should be straightforward to claim what you are entitled to.

If individuals are making fraudulent claims and choosing to publicise that (which I doubt. You'd have to be all kinds of stupid to make fraudulent claims then splash it in a newspaper) then I am sure the tax credit people will be made aware.

You see, the vast majority of people who claim any benefits or tax credits are just people who need them despite having jobs, and don't have eleven children.

But they aren't mouth foaming material are they? Far better to show the extreme end of the spectrum to really piss people off and encourage them to tar everyone with the and brush.

I think the op is saying the story is clearly bollocks.

Good for them, I'm sure their dc will be very happy at Christmas.

I interpreted it as saying that it is the interviewees themselves who are talking bollocks, whereas I would argue that it is the daily mail that is doing so.

The story adds up but they aren't benefit claimants anyway they are a working family.

As the OP - i think its all bollox, i'm not foaming at the mouth or annoyed, if she has managed to save that amount of money to spend on her kids without them missing out on heating or food, or her running up a big credit card bill etc

I'm not bashing the claiment at all, i just dont actually believe it

It's an annual event in the Fail. They just change the families

AliceDoesntLiveHereAnymore Mon 20-Oct-14 16:35:44
And like a dutiful little DM sheep, you've passed your outrage along, posting to start a bunfight.

erm, no - not outrage, not a DM sheep, but thanks for your kind words

The DM might run out one day....there are less than 200 families with ver 10 children claiming from the Govt. She is a drop in th ocean,

Bet she has a flat screen too

...and a goat

That interview was in a magazine this week (think it was closer).

she's not bashing to be fair - she's pointing out that the Fail may well pick people who tell porkies to fit their agenda - YANBU

unless you are benefit bashing in which case - have a goat

Oh I know the OP is not benefit bashing, The Mail are though....am assuming they have mentioned the flat screen TV.

i can imagine it's true some amounts are eye watering BUT this family is an exception and NOT the rule

atleast the money does seem to be going to the children.as it should do but sometimes dosent,sounds like the kids will have a great Christmas

ScarletFever well dammit then, my apologies to you. I read it to mean that you were bashing benefits. Although you're still BU to bring a DM story to the board.

Especially without a goat comment.