Jobless Mother of 11 having a custom house built by Council

Nicki

Dunroamin wrote: »

Possibly worth pointing out that a couple with children need only work 24 hours pw between them to be eligible for WTC. Saying that a couple work, doesn't imply that either one of them work full time or that the majority of their income doesn't come from benefits.

I am not sure we have enough information to know that this couple only work 24 hours a week though. Just the prejudice of a spiteful onlooker.

I wouldn't fancy 8 children either or a large family at 26, but its not really for me to judge anyone for making different choices to me, especially when the information provided is that both parents work to support their children. It is hardly their fault if the tax system rewards parents at the moment.

Dunroamin

Nicki wrote: »

I am not sure we have enough information to know that this couple only work 24 hours a week though. Just the prejudice of a spiteful onlooker.

I wouldn't fancy 8 children either or a large family at 26, but its not really for me to judge anyone for making different choices to me, especially when the information provided is that both parents work to support their children. It is hardly their fault if the tax system rewards parents at the moment.

Of course, but neither do we have the information to assume that at least one of them is working full time or that either one is going to progress through a career and soon be independent of benefits.

BTW, the married man's (not couple's) tax allowance was a pittance compared to current tax credits and was only ended in 2000.

mumps

Dunroamin wrote: »

BTW, the married man's (not couple's) tax allowance was a pittance compared to current tax credits and was only ended in 2000.

And if you were both working fulltime in well paid jobs it wasn't worth claiming as you actually got taxed more.

KxMx

Nicki wrote: »

I am not sure we have enough information to know that this couple only work 24 hours a week though. Just the prejudice of a spiteful onlooker.

I wouldn't fancy 8 children either or a large family at 26, but its not really for me to judge anyone for making different choices to me, especially when the information provided is that both parents work to support their children. It is hardly their fault if the tax system rewards parents at the moment.

You're right I do have prejudice because of my background with large families. My Granddad was born in 1932 and was the youngest. Even before WW2 and his mother was widowed the family was split up because she couldn't cope. That was another world then yes but some of them today still gripe about how they went to a relative who was less well off than the one others went to; and the fact that my late Granddad stayed with his Mum (he was the trouble maker!).

I'm not saying that would happen today by any means but yes I would say I am prejudiced.

I just don't see why anyone needs to have so many kids if i'm honest. Or why anyone would choose to today. My opinion not spite. Or are people only allowed opinions that paint others in a rosy glow? Do you never have a negative thought about others? You called me spiteful after all and were happy enough to say it on a public forum, even though you were critical of me earlier for doing the same.

I actually take my hat off to both of them, I don't know how on earth they manage to work and take care of so many little people, and in the case of my school friend be pregnant quite often at the same time. It is a daily battle for me to look after myself and my cat and I have help to manage even that.

Lieja

I hate articles like this. I couldn't care less what this woman is being given by the council. The government spends lots of money on a lot more things that should cause a lot more anger than this. But welfare cuts are what they're after, so it makes sense to get everybody riled up about things like this.

meritaten

I am wondering how anyone with eleven kids to look after would have time to 'get a job'! I found it hard enough with three kids and a working OH!

paulineb_2

Lieja wrote: »

I hate articles like this. I couldn't care less what this woman is being given by the council. The government spends lots of money on a lot more things that should cause a lot more anger than this. But welfare cuts are what they're after, so it makes sense to get everybody riled up about things like this.

I agree with you on the fact that the govt spends a hell of a lot money more on other things, war for example and I do know that there are very few families in the UK with 10 plus kids.

But this is wrong, so so wrong. I live in a housing estate with families, one in particular, the girl has 6 kids and struggles with them.

But shes rolling in money. Her and her bf, now ex used to live apart because they were better off. I used to see him swanning about the place in his designer gear.

She'll get around 14 grand a year in child tax credits alone and then a rent and council tax rebate plus child benefit?

How on earth can that be right and I do know all the issues about childcare, I used to work with young homeless people with kids who were no means rich, but the Government creates this.

My anger is not at the people who milk it, its at the people who allow it.

Im a single person. I get some housing benefit and working tax credit because I have my own business and my income is still fairly low. That adds up to £6000 a year almost.

But some families were getting that in a week in HB payments, people demanding that they be moved back to £1 million plus homes.

Its wrong. And Ive spent more time in the flat Im in working and paying full rent than I ever have getting any form of housing benefit.

Benefits should be a safety net. people should not starve but no way should people be massively better off out of work and people should not be rewarded for having kids either.

Pop out as many kids as you like and you'll be well off but a single person without kids on the dole will scrape by, Ive been there.

There has to be some middle ground and the gravy train has to stop.

When my mum was bringing me up, she spent a couple of years out of work and she got nothing except child benefit and the couple of quid a week my dad paid in child support and she had to take him to court to get him to pay that. Plus the equivalent of JSA, supplementary benefit, that was it. And she managed.

I absolutely agree that schemes such as WTC and CTC should lift people out of poverty.

But that's it. It should not make people rich, theres a big difference.

paulineb_2

And yes, some custom built house to some woman who wrecked other homes and terrorised an elderly neighbour, I don't blame people for being upset about this. No one should be rewarded for being an anti social tenant.

catkins

Why exactly are they giving her a house with 6 bedrooms? Firstly the children should share rooms. Secondly it is quite likely that the older ones (one is 19 and one 21) will leave home within a few years.

I grew up in a council house with two sisters. We had a 2 bed house and the council said we did not need a bigger house because 3 children of the same sex could share a room. So what's so special about her children?

The bedroom we shared was not that big and my sisters had bunk beds until I left home as there was not room for 3 beds. My sisters were 17 and 21 when I left home

alias*alibi

I actually live in Churchdown; not on the estate Heather Frost currently resides I must point out! What you see in the paper is exactly how the house they currently live in is. It's the pits. Her kids (youngest) are out playing all times of the day and night; there's always different cars on her drive/pulled up on the pavement. Her kids go to my DD's school but I must admit they look turned out ok.

I personally don't know Northway in Tewkesbury where this new house is being built but I doubt the house will look as the paper shows for too long judging on the appearance of the current one.

I think it's disgusting that she's being given this brand new home but at the same time what else are the LA supposed to do with her and her family? The two houses in Churchdown are apparently not fit for purpose and tbh building her a new house will be a damn sight cheaper than her kids going in to foster care. I bet her neighbours in churchdown will hold a street party when she eventually leaves.

It's a shame for her kids having their mum ridiculed in both the local and national papers but she doesn't help herself with her comments (although our local rag did say she declined to comment on the latest backlash).