Unemployed single mother on benefits spends £2,000 on Christmas presents

[Mrluvaluva]

Unemployed single mother on benefits who spends £2,000 on Christmas with 20 presents for each of her children.

Leanna Broderick plans to give children designer outfits, iPads and jewellery.

The 20-year-old has never worked and claims nearly £15,500 a year.

Claims she is better off on benefits and last year saved £2,500.

Said there was 'no point' getting minimum wage job and paying for childcare.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/12/10/article-0-167277B3000005DC-539_634x451.jpg

While many families are worrying about how to afford Christmas this year, one jobless single mother has revealed she receives so much in benefits she has £2,000 to spend on designer gifts, clothes and partying.

Mother-of-two Leanna Broderick plans to buy 20 presents for each of her children, including Burberry and Ralph Lauren outfits, iPads and gold jewellery.

The 20-year-old, who has never worked, claims nearly £15,500 a year in state handouts.

She claims she is better off on benefits and would not get a job unless she could continue her luxury lifestyle, which includes designer outfits, holidays abroad, clubbing, lunches out and expensive gifts for her daughters Zelekah, two, and Zakirah, one.

‘Last year, I saved £2,500 and my kids had 50 presents each, including Burberry and Ralph Lauren clothes and dolls, DVDs and CDs.

‘This year, I’ve saved £2,000 and they’ll get 20 presents each, including iPads and a new Disney-themed bedroom to share, with designer wall art and bed linen,’ she said.

She is also buying gold earrings for Zelekah, who has pierced ears, and keeping £300 for the sales and £150 for a New Year’s Eve outing.

Miss Broderick, who left school at 16 with no GCSEs, said: ‘I don’t care if people get annoyed. I don’t take advantage, I just choose to save – it’s smart.’

She said there was ‘no point’ earning less in a minimum wage job and having to pay for childcare on top.

After becoming pregnant at 17 with her on-off 23-year-old boyfriend, Miss Broderick was allocated a temporary three-bed council house.

When Zelekah was eight months old she considered working in care, but then became pregnant again by the same man.

Now split from the girls’ father, she has a new two-bedroom council flat in Croydon, South London, with a garden, which is paid for by her £111 weekly housing benefit – part of £1,290 a month total claim.

She said: ‘I didn’t want to miss out on my kids’ childhoods or have someone else raise them. I’m not one of those girls who gets pregnant for the benefits.’

The money for Christmas comes from the £250 she saves each month, which she said shows she is ‘really responsible’.

She adds: ‘Anyone who thinks people on benefits don’t deserve nice things is talking rubbish. I work 24/7 as a mother.

‘This way, taxpayers know I’m raising two well-brought-up kids.’

But she admits Christmas might not be so lavish next year because of the Government’s benefit cuts.

‘I’m not against the cuts, but only if the Government helps me find a job,’ she said.

‘In the meantime, I’ll stay on benefits and get as much as I can out of it.’


Daily Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2246104/Unemployed-single-mother-benefits-spends-2-000-Christmas-20-presents-children.html)

Good on her for saving and being thrifty so she and her kids can have a nice Christmas, or does she get too much in benefits? What do you think?

[Marcus.]

wow well done to her

[Josy]

Well done to her for managing to save for xmas, but thats far too much to spend on just 2 children imo.

[Novo]

Expensive: Miss Broderick is planning on buying iPads and gold earrings among other gifts for her daughters

Her Daughters look 4 or 5 so she's obviously buying them for herself :joker:

[Marcus.]

Expensive: Miss Broderick is planning on buying iPads and gold earrings among other gifts for her daughters

Her Daughters look 4 or 5 so she's obviously buying them for herself :joker:

yeah she will be but that will not be a good news story so she as to say that

[bbfan1991]

Well done to her for managing to save, although I would not be her when she has to face the outrage of the taxpayers.

My only question is where is her ambition with her life, surely it will be boring sitting around doing nothing or swanning around with her friends or family etc after a while when her kids are in full time education?

[Marcus.]

Well done to her for managing to save, although I would not be her when she has to face the outrage of the taxpayers.

My only question is where is her ambition with her life, surely it will be boring sitting around doing nothing or swanning around with her friends or family etc after a while when her kids are in full time education?

yeah it would be

[Josy]

Well done to her for managing to save, although I would not be her when she has to face the outrage of the taxpayers.

My only question is where is her ambition with her life, surely it will be boring sitting around doing nothing or swanning around with her friends or family etc after a while when her kids are in full time education?

She won't have any excuse not to go out and find at least part time employment when her kids are in full time education.

[Vicky.]

I KNEW this would be a daily mail link :laugh:

Anyway, I hate stories like this as they make out that everyone on benefits has a great life when its not the case. I hate women like this who think the state should provide her with the lifestyle she choses, and I think when they sell stories such as this to the press they should have their benefits reduced by the amount that they 'waste' on crap such as this.

Of course people on benefits should be able to save a little for a rainy day, and should be able to buy xmas presents and such for their kids. But this woman is taking the piss tbh. Especially boasting about it.

[Apple202]

Why are people congratulating her

[Cherie]

Why are people congratulating her

God knows.

[Josy]

Who congratulated her?

[Jack_]

What a surprising source :rolleyes:

More condemnation of those on welfare.

[Locke.]

What a great woman, congratulations

[Josy]

What a great woman, congratulations

:joker:

[Novo]

Looks a bit like Rebecca Ferguson after discovering meth

[Mrluvaluva]

God forbid a story was posted from The Daily Mail....

[Doogle]

Looks a bit like Rebecca Ferguson after discovering meth

:laugh3:

[Irene Pearson]

As this is a quote from the daily mail I would seriously question its validity.

[Marcus.]

As this is a quote from the daily mail I would seriously question its validity.

they not reliable

[Mrluvaluva]

The full feature actually appears in the Closer Christmas issue. Of course they most probably made it up too, photographed the woman with her kids, and then printed it without her permission.

[Saph]

Looks a bit like Rebecca Ferguson after discovering meth

:joker:

[armand.kay]

I struggle to afford Nike and her girls are getting ralph lauren :(

[Cherie]

Who congratulated her?

Isn't saying ...well done...much the same as congratulations any more...:shocked:

[Cherie]

I struggle to afford Nike and her girls are getting ralph lauren :(

As long as they wear designer, it doesn't really matter if they live on crisp sandwiches.

[Marcus.]

Isn't saying ...well done...much the same as congratulations any more...:shocked:

good point

[Cherie]

good point

Thank you Marcus...!

[Marcus.]

Thank you Marcus...!

that ok cherie

[Josy]

Isn't saying ...well done...much the same as congratulations any more...:shocked:

Not in this case, no.

[Cherie]

Not in this case, no.

Oh.:joker:

[Irene Pearson]

The full feature actually appears in the Closer Christmas issue. Of course they most probably made it up too, photographed the woman with her kids, and then printed it without her permission.

I did not know that this article had appeared in the Closer Christmas issue. However the Daily Mail are notoriously right wing and this would fit their criteria perfectly, with just a soupcon of disingenuous spice thrown in for seasoning. In fact did they not suggest capital punishment for such a heinous crime? Who supplies this money? She has not stolen it. The taxpayer funds this and our government pays it out. I would suggest that this publication questions the government it champions so whole heartedly. I would also suggest that if the last shower were still in power( Wow I'm a poet and I didn't know) it they would be pointing their Victorian digit at them.Hypocritical to the end.

[Cherie]

I did not know that this article had appeared in the Closer Christmas issue. However the Daily Mail are notoriously right wing and this would fit their criteria perfectly, with just a soupcon of disingenuous spice thrown in for seasoning. In fact did they not suggest capital punishment for such a heinous crime? Who supplies this money? She has not stolen it. The taxpayer funds this and our government pays it out. I would suggest that this publication questions the government it champions so whole heartedly. I would also suggest that if the last shower were still in power( Wow I'm a poet and I didn't know) it they would be pointing their Victorian digit at them.Hypocritical to the end.

well I have to agree the DM is very good at whipping up a frenzy over so called benefits scroungers.

[Jake.]

True inspiration... One day I wish to push children out of my penis to get money and buy them ipads

[thesheriff443]

As long as they wear designer, it doesn't really matter if they live on crisp sandwiches.

have you seen the price of a bag of crisp's:joker::shocked:

[Livia]

Well I hope she has a nice Christmas on my tax.

The annoying thing about stories like this is that people who are struggling on benefits will be lumped into the same category by some, as this workshy leech.

[Mrluvaluva]

Aren't the kids a bit young for an ipad anyway? If it was me, and I had managed to save such a sum of money from my benefits, I would be keeping quiet about it. I would be concerned about any repercussions.

[Ramsay]

Them kids should be getting legos not ipads
Life if you're a 90s kid x

[Glenn.]

Lego :love:

As much as she's good for saving and that, it should be saved from money she's earned and not been given just for having two kids.

The benefit system in this country is disgusting. I had to sign on for a couple of months between jobs and I was given £49 a week to live on. The amount the law stated I could live on.

[Benjamin]

She has a point. Why would you bother working a minimum wage job and paying for childcare when you can get more on benefits.

[Glenn.]

She's just very fortunate she can save £2000 to waste on Christmas. I work full time and I can't afford to spend a quarter of that.

[Jake.]

More annoying when my mum is a hard working woman yet has **** all compared to this moron

[Livia]

She has a point. Why would you bother working a minimum wage job and paying for childcare when you can get more on benefits.

So she contributes and doesn't let people who are working fund her lifestyle. I know people who are both working and can't afford to buy ipads for their kids. Plus some people will see this woman bragging about her freeloading and assume that everyone who is on benefits lives a lavish life. And the vast majority of them don't.

[Vicky.]

Story seems hugely exagerrated anyway. Taking off council tax benefit and housing benefit (neither go to her personally so no need to include them) she gets about £180 per week. Out of this needs to come all regular household bills...gas, electric, tv license, water, phone, internet. Lets be incredibly generous and assume these bills only come to around £70 together. In reality Im sure they are more. This leaves £110.

Saving 250 a month is around 60 quid a week. So take this 60 off the 110.

This would leave her 50 quid to feed herself and her 2 kids. Out of this £50 she apparently also buys 'designer outfits, holidays abroad, clubbing, lunches out and expensive gifts'.

Impossible unless she has some other form of income too.

[Marsh.]

There's probably more to it than that. I bet she has rich parents or something. :laugh:

But, I absolutely hate that attitude "I've got children therefore I should not have to miss them growing up by having to work. I am entitled to money being given to me."

Of course, especially single parents, need the financial support but to suggest she'd be "missing out on their childhood" and she shouldn't need to work some hours to contribute to her own income is pathetic. Where is her responsibility? Is she happy just to sit at home watching Jeremy Kyle all day?

[Kizzy]

The children are 1 and 2yrs?....
really?

[Marsh.]

She's three sheets to the wind by the sounds of it too.

Thinking giving her daughters designer clothes and jewellery and having every gadget going is them automatically being "well raised".

No doubt they'll grow up spoilt and as work-shy as their mother.

[InOne]

Unemployed :o Benefits :o

I wonder how many DM headlines there is with these buzz words in LOL

[GypsyGoth]

Is she is doing so well, why don't any of them have shoes :suspect:

[Benjamin]

So she contributes and doesn't let people who are working fund her lifestyle. I know people who are both working and can't afford to buy ipads for their kids. Plus some people will see this woman bragging about her freeloading and assume that everyone who is on benefits lives a lavish life. And the vast majority of them don't.

Not saying I agree with it, but if the government make it that you can earn more from benefits than working then that really says a lot about our country.

[Mrluvaluva]

Is she is doing so well, why don't any of them have shoes :suspect:

They have underfloor heating. She should get that dido rail fixed though. It's not straight at all.

[Marsh.]

Get rid of the rail altogether. So old fashioned. :hmph:

[King Gizzard]

Can't believe she wasn't embarrassed enough to do the story

[Kizzy]

Agreed ben, and not forgetting that shortly those who work part time earning less than £9'440 won't contribute anything anyway...
There was some talk of free nursery placements for all children 2 and over for 15hs pw.
Based on that my guess is income support will cease to be for those whose youngest is over 2 and they will be moved to JSA.

[armand.kay]

have you seen the price of a bag of crisp's:joker::shocked:
and most of it is air :hugesmile:...

[armand.kay]

Is she is doing so well, why don't any of them have shoes :suspect:
:laugh2:

[Livia]

Not saying I agree with it, but if the government make it that you can earn more from benefits than working then that really says a lot about our country.

Yes it does... and yet when there are plans to examine the benefits system you'd think the plan was to reopen the workhouses. Actually, it's people like this woman who need their case examined. If she can afford to save £2000 then she is being paid too much in benefits. Being in receipt of benefits is not a job, benefits are meant to help people who, for whatever reason, are not working.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

cute

[Jesus.]

Life is a trade off. This woman can buy all the ipads and make up she wants, but when she dies, her children are going to have to pay for her funeral.

Other people go to work all their lives, don't have a lot of spare income, but when they die, they leave assets like a house to pass on to their children, so that they can raise their standard of living over the generations.

If this woman can save that money, then good for her. I don't see why people always have to look at what they have in their own lives in comparison to other people.

I'm very fortunate. I grew up in a lovely, picturesque Cotswold village. I went to good schools, university, I got a good job, saved some money, and started my own business, and bought my own flat.

I know full well that the opportunities I've had are not open to every one in the country, but I don't begrudge anyone else a thing. I try to live my life for me, and people I love. I wouldn't care if my neighbour was a benefits cheat.

People making too much on benefits, whilst the bankers around the world that nearly brought the planet to it's knees with extremely dodgy practices, get to moan about whether paying 50% tax will enable them to send Jeremy to summer camp in Florida.

It's all ****ing bollocks. Keep your head down, fight for the people that mean something to you, protect those that need help and stop looking over your neighbours fence.

[Niamh.]

Great post Jesus. I agree 100%.

[Livia]

This isn't about bankers' bonuses, it's about ordinary people who are working and contributing and having to make a choice about how many kids they can afford to have, and how much they can spend on Christmas. Lots of those people will not pass on any kind of property to their children. When this woman dies her children, who no doubt are being taught well, will probably carry on and live the same kind of lifestyle that their mother has shown them is so lucrative and the state will probably pay for the funeral. If you are able to save £2000 from benefits, while people who are working long hours in thankless jobs are scrimping and scraping, I fail to see how anyone can justify it.

There are people on this forum who, through no fault of their own are on benefits. I wonder how many of them have managed to save £2000 this year. I'm guessing... none.

[Jesus.]

It's obviously an exception.

Have you seen that program with that camp, black guy that tells you how to pay off your house in a year or something similar?

People can do all kinds of things to cut costs, and make extra money.

I just can't justify demonising this woman, or the benefits system for such an anomaly. People on benefits are not enjoying the high life. I'd wager 99.9% of them struggle just to pay bills.

Unless there has been a break down of her benefit payments and how she spends her money, then it's all speculation.

Sometimes people just get paid too much by the system because of human/computational errors. She's ****ed herself by appearing in the story, as the system will be all over her like a rash now. So ultimately, they will make it harder for her to maintain it. There are probably a few people scattered around, that aren't stupid enough to publicise it.

[Livia]

I hope they are all over her like a rash. Flaunting it in this way reinforces the idea some people have that being on benefits is an easy option.

[SharkAttack]

Well I hope she has a nice Christmas on my tax.

The annoying thing about stories like this is that people who are struggling on benefits will be lumped into the same category by some, as this workshy leech.

This, this, this.

[Liberty4eva]

Stories like this make my blood boil. And I'm not even from the UK. No wonder so many in the 3rd world want to go to the UK.

[Vanessa]

This makes a mockery of honest, hard working people. It sounds like she's getting too much benefit. But from next year they will be cut. Let's see if she still thinks she's better off not working. :devil:

[Kizzy]

It's obviously an exception.

Have you seen that program with that camp, black guy that tells you how to pay off your house in a year or something similar?

People can do all kinds of things to cut costs, and make extra money.

I just can't justify demonising this woman, or the benefits system for such an anomaly. People on benefits are not enjoying the high life. I'd wager 99.9% of them struggle just to pay bills.

Unless there has been a break down of her benefit payments and how she spends her money, then it's all speculation.

Sometimes people just get paid too much by the system because of human/computational errors. She's ****ed herself by appearing in the story, as the system will be all over her like a rash now. So ultimately, they will make it harder for her to maintain it. There are probably a few people scattered around, that aren't stupid enough to publicise it.

She has said she saves money throughout the year, however come april when universal credit comes in things will be very different.
Like you the demonisation of those in this socioeconomic group make my blood boil.
There but for the grace of god go I...
The worst are usually those who are one generation away from poor white trash, the daily mail reading Mrs Bucket pronounced bouquet types.

[Irene Pearson]

When we are taxed quite literally from the cradle to the grave it is natural to be a little tetchy about people who choose not to contribute , just take instead! That includes wealthy tax evaders who legitimately do the same.

[Vanessa]

When we are taxed quite literally from the cradle to the grave it is natural to be a little tetchy about people who choose not to contribute , just take instead! That includes wealthy tax evaders who legitimately do the same.

It really winds me up. Most people are struggling to make ends meet because of the crisis. These people do nothing and get paid for it. :bored:

[Jesus.]

When we are taxed quite literally from the cradle to the grave it is natural to be a little tetchy about people who choose not to contribute , just take instead! That includes wealthy tax evaders who legitimately do the same.

Tax is something everyone pays, in order to contribute towards society. How many articles do you see written about non-famous tax evaders, stealing millions of pounds from us, as opposed to articles you see written in the right wing rags that impersonate journalists on a daily basis?

How many two thousand pounds do you want to take from people in order to pay for Lord Fauntelroys swiss bank account?

It's easy to demonise the poor, their friends aren't Lords, and newspaper editors. You can measure society by how well we care for those that have least amongst us. The wealth disparity between rich and poor continues to grow, yet we want to make that wider by taking more from the bottom?

It's a ****ing insane world. I'm not saying there aren't errors, but countries do better, when the gap between bottom and top is narrower.

[Jesus.]

It really winds me up. Most people are struggling to make ends meet because of the crisis. These people do nothing and get paid for it. :bored:

So lets play that out. Cut benefits away from everyone. Just stop it tomorrow. What happens then?

[Vanessa]

So lets play that out. Cut benefits away from everyone. Just stop it tomorrow. What happens then?

I'm not saying cut them out completely. But some people get way too much. No wonder they don't want to work.

[Jesus.]

I'm not saying cut them out completely. But some people get way too much. No wonder they don't want to work.

What's too much, then?

If they have £10 in their pockets after bills, food and daily expenses, is that OK? £50? What's the cut off?

Nobody knows anything about this womans life, other than she saves £2000 over a year. She may serve beans on toast every night of the week, just to give her kids a really special Christmas.

Who knows?

[Vanessa]

What's too much, then?

If they have £10 in their pockets after bills, food and daily expenses, is that OK? £50? What's the cut off?

Nobody knows anything about this womans life, other than she saves £2000 over a year. She may serve beans on toast every night of the week, just to give her kids a really special Christmas.

Who knows?

From next year they will cut benefits for everyone. I think that's fair. I believe everyone should go to work. I don't like spongers. :nono:

[Kizzy]

bazinga!
Hit the nail on the head there nessa... Whats the soloution? make work pay more than staying on benefits then.
Thats all most people want, not 2nd homes or duck houses..
A living wage so they can raise their children, not be a drain on resources and not be looked down on by those who are blinkered to the real issues of large scale corporate tax avoidance, and expenses fiddling (which equates to the same thing as it is creamed from taxpayers) that face the UK.

[Irene Pearson]

Tax is something everyone pays, in order to contribute towards society. How many articles do you see written about non-famous tax evaders, stealing millions of pounds from us, as opposed to articles you see written in the right wing rags that impersonate journalists on a daily basis?

How many two thousand pounds do you want to take from people in order to pay for Lord Fauntelroys swiss bank account?

It's easy to demonise the poor, their friends aren't Lords, and newspaper editors. You can measure society by how well we care for those that have least amongst us. The wealth disparity between rich and poor continues to grow, yet we want to make that wider by taking more from the bottom?

It's a ****ing insane world. I'm not saying there aren't errors, but countries do better, when the gap between bottom and top is narrower.

I am not demonising the poor at all. Please do not misinterpret my words. How have you got to Lets take away all benefits. Is anyone suggesting that? Let us just agree to disagree.

[Jesus.]

I am not demonising the poor at all. Please do not misinterpret my words. How have you got to Lets take away all benefits. Is anyone suggesting that? Let us just agree to disagree.

Sorry, Irene. I was venting more generally than in your direction. Don't take that personally, it wasn't meant.

[Vanessa]

bazinga!
Hit the nail on the head there nessa... Whats the soloution? make work pay more than staying on benefits then.
Thats all most people want, not 2nd homes or duck houses..
A living wage so they can raise their children, not be a drain on resources and not be looked down on by those who are blinkered to the real issues of large scale corporate tax avoidance, and expenses fiddling (which equates to the same thing as it is creamed from taxpayers) that face the UK.

Exactly. She can still work in the daytime while the kids are at school.

[Jesus.]

Exactly. She can still work in the daytime while the kids are at school.

Employers are desperate for workers willing to work from 10am till 2pm, whilst still paying a wage that will allow them to have some kind of life.

[Irene Pearson]

From next year they will cut benefits for everyone. I think that's fair. I believe everyone should go to work. I don't like spongers. :nono:

The problem there is we are in the middle of a recession with a lack of jobs available. I agree that any able bodied adult should work and not be able to opt for benefit funded living. I don't know when in our history that this happened.

[Vanessa]

Employers are desperate for workers willing to work from 10am till 2pm, whilst still paying a wage that will allow them to have some kind of life.

Yes. Part time work is perfect for busy mothers. My sister is looking for this kind of work. :)

[Vanessa]

The problem there is we are in the middle of a recession with a lack of jobs available. I agree that any able bodied adult should work and not be able to opt for benefit funded living. I don't know when in our history that this happened.

There's always part time work. It's better for mothers i think.

[Irene Pearson]

Part time work is great for mothers. If more money is available on benefits where is the incentive. That I suppose is more my point.

[Vicky.]

From next year they will cut benefits for everyone. I think that's fair. I believe everyone should go to work. I don't like spongers. :nono:

Are you willing to create the extra 1,000,000+ jobs that would be needed in order to get even just people on JSA back into work? This is before starting on the single mothers and such who are on income support or other benefits :)

Its easy enough to say everyone should work. Everyone who is able SHOULD support themselves, I agree. However if the jobs arent there, they cant.

That said I have had this argument many times before, and I always seem to get someone telling me that there are millions of jobs out there at the minute just people arent looking hard enough, even though thats absolute bollocks, so I think after this reply I wont return to this thread as as soon as that **** starts it will annoy me too much :laugh:

[Vicky.]

Part time work is great for mothers. If more money is available on benefits where is the incentive. That I suppose is more my point.

This is the aim of universal credit. To make people better off by a considerable margin even by doing part time work. I hope it works out like that, but I dont think it will.

[Vanessa]

Are you willing to create the extra 1,000,000+ jobs that would be needed in order to get even just people on JSA back into work? This is before starting on the single mothers and such who are on income support or other benefits :)

Its easy enough to say everyone should work. Everyone who is able SHOULD support themselves, I agree. However if the jobs arent there, they cant.

That said I have had this argument many times before, and I always seem to get someone telling me that there are millions of jobs out there at the minute just people arent looking hard enough, even though thats absolute bollocks, so I think after this reply I wont return to this thread as as soon as that **** starts it will annoy me too much :laugh:

I think anyone who's unemployed should at least try to find a job. I have no respect for those who don't want to work.

[Vicky.]

I think anyone who's unemployed should at least try to find a job. I have no respect for those who don't want to work.

The vast majority do. Unfortunately we dont hear about those people, the media is only interested in the ones who can sell papers due to peoples outrage at these scroungers who 'live it up' on the taxpayers money

(I will point out again though, that this particular story does not add up. She does NOT do all this stuff on her benefit money, she clearly has income/help from somewhere else too)

[Vanessa]

The vast majority do. Unfortunately we dont hear about those people, the media is only interested in the ones who can sell papers due to peoples outrage at these scroungers who 'live it up' on the taxpayers money

(I will point out again though, that this particular story does not add up. She does NOT do all this stuff on her benefit money, she clearly has income/help from somewhere else too)

My brother in law has had many interviews since coming to the UK last year. He has been offered three office jobs recently and has had to choose. I admire his determination to find a job. :worship:

[Vicky.]

My brother in law has had many interviews since coming to the UK last year. He has been offered three office jobs recently and has had to choose. I admire his determination to find a job. :worship:

Good on him. Glad to hear a good story about this kinda thing for once :laugh:

[Vanessa]

Good on him. Glad to hear a good story about this kinda thing for once :laugh:

I'm so happy for him! He just started a new job and he'll be able to go home for Christmas. :amazed:

[Kizzy]

The vast majority do. Unfortunately we dont hear about those people, the media is only interested in the ones who can sell papers due to peoples outrage at these scroungers who 'live it up' on the taxpayers money

(I will point out again though, that this particular story does not add up. She does NOT do all this stuff on her benefit money, she clearly has income/help from somewhere else too)

Exactly it has been structured to get readers waving their pitchforks in the general direction of the DSS..
I wish that folk were not so easily influenced by these tales, meanwhile other far worse news is quickly passed up on for these tales.

[Irene Pearson]

Exactly it has been structured to get readers waving their pitchforks in the general direction of the DSS..
I wish that folk were not so easily influenced by these tales, meanwhile other far worse news is quickly passed up on for these tales.

Unfortunately true.

[Livia]

What's too much, then?

If they have £10 in their pockets after bills, food and daily expenses, is that OK? £50? What's the cut off?

Nobody knows anything about this womans life, other than she saves £2000 over a year. She may serve beans on toast every night of the week, just to give her kids a really special Christmas.

Who knows?

You don't think the fact that she doesn't work, and yet is able to dress her children in designer clothes and buy them ipads while working people cannot, is even slightly unfair? Benefits are not supposed to be a lifestyle, they're mean to be a stop-gap to help people who are out of work. Unfortunately it's a career choice for some.

[Mrluvaluva]

Leanna reveals: “All my babies’ things were new – I had designer buggies and a beautiful nursery. I do sometimes buy Next or Gap – I’m not a snob – but I prefer designer quality.

“I don’t want my girls to be teased for not having the best.”

“I’m not one of those girls who gets pregnant for the benefits, though – both my pregnancies were accidents. People may say I should have been more careful, but I think it’s better to be a young mum – you have more energy. The benefits are for my kids, not me.”

In the next breath she says: “I go clubbing with my friends every fortnight and love having lunch at Italian restaurant Prezzo. I dress nicely as I don’t want to be labelled a ‘benefits mum.’ Even though she says she uses the money on her kids.

She now claims £1,290 a month, including £430 in child tax credits, £132 child benefit, £444 in rent, £80 to cover council tax and single parent benefit of £180 a month – plus £24 worth of vouchers for free milk and fruit.

Leanna adds: “The people at the Job Centre have actually told me I’m better off on benefits than in a minimum-wage job. It’s the system’s fault. My kids would suffer if I worked. This way, taxpayers know I’m raising two well-brought-up kids.”

http://www.closeronline.co.uk/Assets/Image/santa.jpg

Her housing benefit covers her rent, so that leaves her with about £740 per month (excluding vouchers). Say her bills were a couple of hundred at the most per month, that would leave her with £540. If she saves around £170 per month, that leaves her with £370, which equates to around £90 per week with which to buy food, clothes etc. I suppose it's quite feasible if you have no personal vices. Although I don't know where she finds the money for designer clothes and lunching out?

[Livia]

Employers are desperate for workers willing to work from 10am till 2pm, whilst still paying a wage that will allow them to have some kind of life.

The woman who cleans my office is a single mum on benefits, her youngest child is 6. She also cleans for two other businesses and a private home, I guess it totals about 18 hours per week. Her benefits are adjusted because of the little amount she earns. She has a work ethic because her parents had a good work ethic. When her child is a little older she plans to try to start her own cleaning business. However, right now, she can afford neither designer clothes nor ipads. She has self-respect, and she has my respect. I guess that's the difference between one person on benefits, and another.

[Cherie]

I'm at a loss to know what the silly bint who gave the interview was trying to achieve..

[Vicky.]

Leanna reveals: “All my babies’ things were new – I had designer buggies and a beautiful nursery. I do sometimes buy Next or Gap – I’m not a snob – but I prefer designer quality.

“I don’t want my girls to be teased for not having the best.”

“I’m not one of those girls who gets pregnant for the benefits, though – both my pregnancies were accidents. People may say I should have been more careful, but I think it’s better to be a young mum – you have more energy. The benefits are for my kids, not me.”

In the next breath she says: “I go clubbing with my friends every fortnight and love having lunch at Italian restaurant Prezzo. I dress nicely as I don’t want to be labelled a ‘benefits mum.’ Even though she says she uses the money on her kids.

She now claims £1,290 a month, including £430 in child tax credits, £132 child benefit, £444 in rent, £80 to cover council tax and single parent benefit of £180 a month – plus £24 worth of vouchers for free milk and fruit.

Leanna adds: “The people at the Job Centre have actually told me I’m better off on benefits than in a minimum-wage job. It’s the system’s fault. My kids would suffer if I worked. This way, taxpayers know I’m raising two well-brought-up kids.”

http://www.closeronline.co.uk/Assets/Image/santa.jpg

Her housing benefit covers her rent, so that leaves her with about £740 per month (excluding vouchers). Say her bills were a couple of hundred at the most per month, that would leave her with £540. If she saves around £170 per month, that leaves her with £370, which equates to around £90 per week with which to buy food, clothes etc. I suppose it's quite feasible if you have no personal vices. Although I don't know where she finds the money for designer clothes and lunching out?

Plus the holidays and such she claims to be able to afford. And she says she saves 250 per month. Which would leave 290. About 70 quid a week to feed and clothe herself and 2 kids. Before the treats and great lifestyle she has.

[Kizzy]

She is not a benefit cheat..she is not getting anymore than anyone else in her position she budgets for christmas is all.
If she worked she would still get child benefit, child tax credits and help with rent and council tax.
Plus lets not forget that as a part time wage earner would pay no tax anyway.

It is a snapshot of how things are, don't shoot her for stating facts.

[Cherie]

Leanna reveals: “All my babies’ things were new – I had designer buggies and a beautiful nursery. I do sometimes buy Next or Gap – I’m not a snob – but I prefer designer quality.

“I don’t want my girls to be teased for not having the best.”

“I’m not one of those girls who gets pregnant for the benefits, though – both my pregnancies were accidents. People may say I should have been more careful, but I think it’s better to be a young mum – you have more energy. The benefits are for my kids, not me.”

In the next breath she says: “I go clubbing with my friends every fortnight and love having lunch at Italian restaurant Prezzo. I dress nicely as I don’t want to be labelled a ‘benefits mum.’ Even though she says she uses the money on her kids.

She now claims £1,290 a month, including £430 in child tax credits, £132 child benefit, £444 in rent, £80 to cover council tax and single parent benefit of £180 a month – plus £24 worth of vouchers for free milk and fruit.

Leanna adds: “The people at the Job Centre have actually told me I’m better off on benefits than in a minimum-wage job. It’s the system’s fault. My kids would suffer if I worked. This way, taxpayers know I’m raising two well-brought-up kids.”

http://www.closeronline.co.uk/Assets/Image/santa.jpg

Her housing benefit covers her rent, so that leaves her with about £740 per month (excluding vouchers). Say her bills were a couple of hundred at the most per month, that would leave her with £540. If she saves around £170 per month, that leaves her with £370, which equates to around £90 per week with which to buy food, clothes etc. I suppose it's quite feasible if you have no personal vices. Although I don't know where she finds the money for designer clothes and lunching out?



As someone else said the figures do not add up at all. I'd really like to know how she is saving just under 200.00 a month, she could patent that concept and make herself millions.

[Niamh.]

This bit would annoy me If I were a British tax Payer :

"This way, taxpayers know I’m raising two well-brought-up kids.” Like she's doing you all a service, knowing she's spending your money wisely :conf:

[Vanessa]

She's spoiling the kids. That's far too many presents. One is enough. :nono:

[Cherie]

This bit would annoy me If I were a British tax Payer :"This way, taxpayers know I’m raising two well-brought-up kids.” Like she's doing you all a service, knowing she's spending your money wisely :conf:


I'm biting into the handle of my hairbrush Im so annoyed..:devil::joker:

[Niamh.]

I'm biting into the handle of my hairbrush Im so annoyed..:devil::joker:

:laugh:

[Vanessa]

This bit would annoy me If I were a British tax Payer :

"This way, taxpayers know I’m raising two well-brought-up kids.” Like she's doing you all a service, knowing she's spending your money wisely :conf:

All benefits will be cut from next year. I doubt she'll be better off not working then! :hugesmile:

[Vicky.]

She's spoiling the kids. That's far too many presents. One is enough. :nono:

:shocked: You meanie :laugh:

I would feel awful giving a kid just one present for xmas. Granted I wouldnt spend anywhere near 2 grand, but one present seems harsh to me.

[Vicky.]

All benefits will be cut from next year. I doubt she'll be better off not working then! :hugesmile:

Well when universal credit comes in, apparently noone will be better off not working. Lets hope thats how it actually happens and not just another way of trying to sell more cuts to the public.

[Vanessa]

:shocked: You meanie :laugh:

I would feel awful giving a kid just one present for xmas. Granted I wouldnt spend anywhere near 2 grand, but one present seems harsh to me.

My nephews get far too many presents from relatives. We don't want to spoil them! :hugesmile:

[Kizzy]

Well when universal credit comes in, apparently noone will be better off not working. Lets hope thats how it actually happens and not just another way of trying to sell more cuts to the public.

*Crosses fingers, toes and eyes bumps into wall falls over*

[Irene Pearson]

This bit would annoy me If I were a British tax Payer :

"This way, taxpayers know I’m raising two well-brought-up kids.” Like she's doing you all a service, knowing she's spending your money wisely :conf:

Yes that was rather galling and crass

[Mrluvaluva]

Plus the holidays and such she claims to be able to afford. And she says she saves 250 per month. Which would leave 290. About 70 quid a week to feed and clothe herself and 2 kids. Before the treats and great lifestyle she has.

I was working off the fact she had saved £2,000. If she saved £250 per month she would have £3,000. I don't know which is correct.

[Jesus.]

You don't think the fact that she doesn't work, and yet is able to dress her children in designer clothes and buy them ipads while working people cannot, is even slightly unfair? Benefits are not supposed to be a lifestyle, they're mean to be a stop-gap to help people who are out of work. Unfortunately it's a career choice for some.

Her rent is paid directly for her, so she picks up £800/month. I've never had a job that pays that, but that doesn't sound a lot to me to provide a home for 2 children. I'm a single guy, and I couldn't live on £800/month. Even if I allow for a scaling down of my bills, so it's closer to her. I spend the best part of £350/month on petrol alone.

She may have credit card debts and payday loan debts up to her eyeballs, that she's used to supplement her lifestyle. She's obviously very materialistic, and likes to promote an image of herself as a bit of a wag. I'm fairly certain after reading that, that she's probably debtted up to her eyeballs.

[Vicky.]

I was working off the fact she had saved £2,000. If she saved £250 per month she would have £3,000. I don't know which is correct.

Either way though, 170 or 250...no way would she be able to afford all the stuff she claims to do without some other finances from somewhere...I wonder if the father contributes, as I dont believe CSA payments affect the amount of benefit you get. If not she must have family and that who pay for her luxuries.

[Kizzy]

yep I would say that her benefits are subsidised by maintainance, or the interest free social fund loans that are available.

[Jesus.]

The woman who cleans my office is a single mum on benefits, her youngest child is 6. She also cleans for two other businesses and a private home, I guess it totals about 18 hours per week. Her benefits are adjusted because of the little amount she earns. She has a work ethic because her parents had a good work ethic. When her child is a little older she plans to try to start her own cleaning business. However, right now, she can afford neither designer clothes nor ipads. She has self-respect, and she has my respect. I guess that's the difference between one person on benefits, and another.

This is always the issue that I struggle with the most in this debate.

I've said before that the system isn't perfect, and we need to find a way to raise the bottom up as a matter of urgency, because they are being left behind at a frightening pace.

The society I believe in, is a society that provides a basic standard of living, healthcare, and facilities to all citizens.

Whenever you deal with a population of such great numbers, there will of course be people looking to take what they can for a free ride, but I believe more people are just looking for a chance and an opportunity.

You never read stories about poor people being given an opportunity, and after 20 years hard work managing to buy their first house, or rent privately in a nicer area. No one would ever sell newspapers. You only hear about the single mothers, immigrants, and scroungers.

So the rags get all this red meat ready and wind up white van man to the point of a heart attack, to push the myth that everyone on benefits is a scrounger and the country is broke, so we need to crack down on them.

I don't want any part of taking more money from the poor, and loading the burden on to them even further. That's not humanity, that's eugenics.

[Kizzy]

This is always the issue that I struggle with the most in this debate.

I've said before that the system isn't perfect, and we need to find a way to raise the bottom up as a matter of urgency, because they are being left behind at a frightening pace.

The society I believe in, is a society that provides a basic standard of living, healthcare, and facilities to all citizens.

Whenever you deal with a population of such great numbers, there will of course be people looking to take what they can for a free ride, but I believe more people are just looking for a chance and an opportunity.

You never read stories about poor people being given an opportunity, and after 20 years hard work managing to buy their first house, or rent privately in a nicer area. No one would ever sell newspapers. You only hear about the single mothers, immigrants, and scroungers.

So the rags get all this red meat ready and wind up white van man to the point of a heart attack, to push the myth that everyone on benefits is a scrounger and the country is broke, so we need to crack down on them.

I don't want any part of taking more money from the poor, and loading the burden on to them even further. That's not humanity, that's eugenics.

Wonderfully put jesus.

[Irene Pearson]

Please tell us Jesus how you would cure the ills of society. I do agree with some of your thoughts but how do we deal with the disingenuous side of human nature. . Surely it begins with parental guidance. Although I have two sons who are quite disparate in their moral values and indeed work ethic.

[Jesus.]

Please tell us Jesus how you would cure the ills of society. I do agree with some of your thoughts but how do we deal with the disingenuous side of human nature. . Surely it begins with parental guidance. Although I have two sons who are quite disparate in their moral values and indeed work ethic.

I don't know if anyone can. You just have to lay a bet on the overwhelming majority, knowing full well that you will never change some people. But these are dire times. Inspiring people into work is one thing we can try and achieve it over time, but cutting down their ability to live day to day is not the way forward.

This woman gets £800/month in her pocket. I work a lot harder (He says having 6 weeks off over Christmas!!), but then I make more money so I can. If I could quit work tomorrow, I would. I'm not super driven, at times I can be quite lazy an unmotivated. But I grew up with nice things around me, and I want those for myself, so I work hard to provide for me, and any future Mrs Christ and baby jeebuses that may crop up. But if my life had been different, I could definitely imagine myself taking the easy route.

[Irene Pearson]

I don't know if anyone can. You just have to lay a bet on the overwhelming majority, knowing full well that you will never change some people. But these are dire times. Inspiring people into work is one thing we can try and achieve it over time, but cutting down their ability to live day to day is not the way forward.

This woman gets £800/month in her pocket. I work a lot harder (He says having 6 weeks off over Christmas!!), but then I make more money so I can. If I could quit work tomorrow, I would. I'm not super driven, at times I can be quite lazy an unmotivated. But I grew up with nice things around me, and I want those for myself, so I work hard to provide for me, and any future Mrs Christ and baby jeebuses that may crop up. But if my life had been different, I could definitely imagine myself taking the easy route.

Mmm

[Ammi]

..I don't think I really care much whether she's on benefits or not..if you're entitled to benefits then there aren't any rules to what you can spend them on, anymore than if it was a salary..if she manages to save some then that's all good....

..I more think that for anyone, employed or not, to spend that amount of money on a child isn't really going to teach the child the value of things..that's my personal opinion...

..also, if someone was deemed as 'middle class' and said that, it would be seen as highly insensitive in this recession..(because it is)..so I think this is equally as insensitive...there are a lot of people who struggle on their benefits and students who struggle on their allowance, pensioners etc....

...I always wonder how these newspapers get these stories...do people contact them and say...'oh, I'm spending £2000 on my two children for Christmas..would you like to report on it..?'

[Vanessa]

..I don't think I really care much whether she's on benefits or not..if you're entitled to benefits then there aren't any rules to what you can spend them on, anymore than if it was a salary..if she manages to save some then that's all good....

..I more think that for anyone, employed or not, to spend that amount of money on a child isn't really going to teach the child the value of things..that's my personal opinion...

..also, if someone was deemed as 'middle class' and said that, it would be seen as highly insensitive in this recession..(because it is)..so I think this is equally as insensitive...there are a lot of people who struggle on their benefits and students who struggle on their allowance, pensioners etc....

...I always wonder how these newspapers get these stories...do people contact them and say...'oh, I'm spending £2000 on my two children for Christmas..would you like to report on it..?'

Agreed. Spoiling kids is never a good idea.

[Marsh.]

...I more think that for anyone, employed or not, to spend that amount of money on a child isn't really going to teach the child the value of things..that's my personal opinion...

I agree.
My biggest "WTF?" about this article was the fact she seems to think expensive clothing (Is it really that much better than Next and Gap? It serves the same bloody purpose. You're paying extra for a label. lol), expensive gadgets and jewellery equates to being well raised.

When, if this is how she "treats" them then they'll grow up just as frivolous and not appreciate the value of what they have.

Since when did little 5 year olds gets bullied because their dresses didn't say Ralph Lauren on the back? :suspect: