I didn't watch the programme, but it does grate me when people get at lone parents who are 'spongers' all the time - as if it's not hard enough as it is!!! I'm lucky to have a lot of support, at the minute a fantastic job I love pays well, CTC & WTC's are all sorted out as is HB, which allows DS & I to have a comfortable lifestyle - not lavish but comfortable, hopefully to be able to provide some sort of savings for DS's future, XH also pays maintenance, which isn't included in any of the calculations for HB/TC's - which tbh is a god send.
I personally can't understand how or why any parent who is able to work doesn't esp if the child is of school age. for example I know of a lady who won't work even thou the kids are in seniors school - no she's not on benefits but they could use the cash. XP was on JSA and had no intention of working which is why he/I eventually split up - I wasn't brought up with the idea of 'oh the state will keep me and i'll bum around all day' my parents said you work, or you study but you do something that's not sitting on your butt watching day time tv. (I did mind for 2.5 years, with DS with a year of that as a lone parent on IS, but it was always agreed I would work once he was in preschool as have. honestly can't understand it - and i'm not talking about those who's children have disabilities/who's other halves etc are unable to work, but your run of the mill parent. as it were.
while I get free prescriptions, I think eye/dental care as well but not sure on that, it's due to being a lone parent - sad thing is if I moved in with anyone or XH came back etc etc then the chances are i'd loose so much in my top ups I wouldn't be able to afford to live, as my rent & CT alone is just about the same as my wages each month. then there's child care and basic living costs on top. it's sad but in a lot of way, this government has made it so you're better off alone & hasn't helped promote 'family' life, (I say it like that as I mean family with 2 parents, even thou DS & I are our own family iycwim)
oh and I'm also doing an OU course as well for a maths degree to be a teacher, hopefully to give DS's a more secure future. I think we need to change the mentality of people - ie when I was looking for work I looked at all jobs, anything to get out of the benefits trap as it were of IS. A lot of people thou will say 'i'm not getting out of bed for £10 per hour, etc etc' and are not willing to work up to that level, but as I see it for the most part, any job is better than no job, if it works (meaning child care issues here). Have also spoken to people who won't do things like shop work/cleaning/factory work etc as it's 'beneath them' and that's where the problem lies I feel anyhow.