Skint - C4

[MadMen]

Did anyone watch episode 2 of Skint last night? If so, what did you think...?

I'm not really sure how they're going to string this series out. Episode 2 was, pretty much, exactly the same as episode 1.

I was absolutely gobsmacked to hear one woman (21 years old) saying they receive £1600 a month in benefits, plus have their rent and council tax paid... all because they have 5 children. I can't remember her exact words, but she said something along the lines of "why should I stop having kids just because I'm on benefits". Er......!!! Her partner, who seemed fit and able to work, said there were "no jobs". Whilst that may indeed be the case, I wonder if he'd manage to find a job if his benefits were cut? I should imagine the answer would be yes. There's something very wrong when people are better off on benefits than they are working...

I felt very sorry for the young 16 year old girl who was 'fighting' to get her daughter back - although she's in no fit state to be looking after a child. It just made me wonder where the parents were, or how they managed to let her get into this situation. Very sad.

[sherrardk]

This programme is designed to rattle people. The narrator opened with 'welcome to Scunthorpe, the town with a swear name in it'. It was along the same lines last week. Yes, these are problem people it we are only seeing a few people who live like this, a minority - it's car crash telly that does what it sets out to do (yes, I do watch it).

[MadMen]

Agreed. It shows one thing, that's for sure. There's a whole load of people in this country who are better off on benefits than they are in work. Where's the sense in that?!! :-/

[sherrardk]

A programme about people scraping by on benefits, no self esteem or confidence, no hope of getting a job and worrying themselves sick would make pretty dull TV though.

[Sammy48]

I was also gobsmacked at how much the 21yr old got in benefits, but I think the £1600 a month did include her rent being paid. lol at the husband playing vid games on that enormous tv in his onesie, what a twit.

I also felt sorry for the 16yr old girl, she clearly needs some guidance.