McGrath, the proportion of young mothers the UK has risen from 8 per cent to 29 per cent during the last 20 years.

In the 1980s a single mother typically had separated from a partner after some years of marriage or cohabitation. Now, a growing proportion have never been in a co-resident relationship. It seems that lone motherhood is less a result of relationship breakdown and more a lifestyle choice. The existence of over generous state benefits as source of economic security seems to be encouraging young women not to bother seeking employment, living off benefits with two kids is now a well paid professional. Current policies structured around helping single mothers to become self-sufficient workers are misconceived.

The benefit system is and has been abused for years. The benefits systems should be stricter. Considering the tax payers well earned salary is being injected into it each month, I think WE should have more of a say, as it is OUR money that the government take from us to give to the people who DO NOT want to work.

If there are extreme special circumstances where one does need the help of the benefits system, IE - made redundant, and have a family to provide for then fair enough. But I say NO to all the scroungers that are proud to say they "live off the state" and call their children "Beer Tokens" all because they can't be bothered to work.

Get the percentage down on Britain having the highest rate of teenage mothers in Europe - that would improve the critical housing needs, get tough with the "I can't be bothered to work spongers", and make then work, whether it is cleaning the streets all day - who cares and lastly round up all the drug users and alcoholics , and put them into an institute until they are clean, allowing them the bare essentials to live then make them work for OUR money that the government shell out as we also pay through our tax - £100m yearly to feed their drug habit (Methadone). No one has to sign on weekly these days. Two weeks ago in my local public house a guy sold 600.00 pounds worth of "holiday vouchers" from the Social Security family fund for 150.00, there was no name on them nor did it say "non transferable".

I know Margaret Thatcher wasn't popular, but there is no way she would have stood by and allowed this to happen.