Blimey that is bad Jacqui! I think the benefits system is going to go through a overhaul though...if you believe the budget.

My fiance was made redundant at the beginning of July. We have 3 kids but he can only claim jobseekers allowence. The job centre told me I couldn't sign on as we had children under school age. We own our own home and pay all our taxes, we don't get benefit for them. Having said that Paul has a letter today with a interview confirmed for a well paid job he applied for and I am going through the final checks for a job offer I've been made. One of us will still have to stay home with kids though.

I think the welfare state is in a sorry mess. It's a vicious circle, those that grow up in families on benefits tend to go on to live on benefits themselves.....having said that it is not the case for everyone. Perhaps the young lady in your street may come unstuck if the right person overhears her boasting about her benefit handouts.