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.

[ummmm]

But it doesn't. You're looking at yourself through a drugged up state.

[ummmm]

They had other benefits on top. £1,600 was the cash they had to spend.

[MadMen]

What?!! (@Anne) I don't know anyone who takes heroin and looks young and youthful.

[Booldawg]

I think the boys name is Callum. The one with buck teeth?

[netibiza]

Have just seen the first one, I am amazed that the furniture they have thrown out is better than the stuff I have, their houses, kitchens everything is better than I have, the kids have all toys and computers and mobile phones, things I have to save up for, and I have never been on the dole. Something is wrong somewhere, and don't get me started on that Connor!

[netibiza]

Well can't moan anymore, that 21yo has the same cheap electric kettle that I have.

[daisya]

Yes I watched both programmes...OMG....talk about me shouting at the television lol. Trouble is this is just one little part of the UK, imagine how many other places/people there out there in similar situations...doesn't bear thinking about really.

[B00]

Again, this programme made me wish I lived, along with my immediate family, on a deserted little island, far away from folk such as these.

They scare me.

[netibiza]

I do B00, well deserted until the season starts which is has, and we get them over here.

[B00]

I turned to Mr Boo and said "just think, in 10 years time Mini Boo might be bringing one of those home as a boyfriend"

I can't repeat his reply Neti!

Least they bugger off home at the end of the season for you though, imagine living round 'em 24/7! Ewww!

[Bbbananas]

I purposely didn't watch it, cos I know my blood pressure would have shot up...

[arwyn]

OMG We have just watched our recording of this before my OH went off to do a 14 hour night shift. After screaming at the t.v I'm now speechless. My Son has just worked very long hours with an hours drive each way for almost a year. He was £3 A WEEK better off than a lazy sod we know who won't get a job because he says he CAN'T AFFORD TO WORK. My Son's year of hard graft paid off and he has now landed his dream job. And the lazy sod-------------well he renews his phone, laptop, huge t.v e.t.c when ever he wants to.
In the end My Son and I know he'll have the better life, he is proud of himself, as are we.

How many people are waiting to be housed when the scum of the earth on that program are distroying good houses and think its their right to have one rent free.

Arwyn (not so speechless now with boiling blood)

[silliemillie]

I was gobsmaked that they all hung around the Youth Court to see who was getting what in the way of sentences.
I dont even know where my local Youth Court is, and neither did my kids when growing up.

[ELVIS68]

I don't know why Channel 4 waste money filming these scummy parasites, the narrator speaks of them like they are loveable rouges.

And why's it called "Skint" when they are getting benefits like £1600 pm?

I expect we'll have another series of the Gypsies back soon, more money wasted on tax dodgers!

[China Doll]

I seen some of it last night, I think it's chewing gum for the brain telly (utterly tasteless after not very long) Something to put on to titilate and outrage the masses, and it gives us another group to look down on... I can't think of any other reason why you'd put something like this on telly really :-/

[MadMen]

Hmm, I kind of know what you mean. My friend had a go at me, for slagging them off, saying it was a way of dividing the classes. I suppose he (and you) have a point, but that *is* the way they live their lives.... scrounging off the state whilst having no intention of getting jobs.

[China Doll]

Agreed, that is how they live. But I'd be more up for a program about change (I quite like the one where millionaires go to needy areas and give cheques) than one that is just there to titilate, I think more or less the same about any of the 'Big fat gypsy' things.... They just make me uncomfortable.

[MadMen]

Secret Millionaire makes me cry :-(
I know what you mean though, it's a bit like 'bashing the desperate'. These are desperate times, and I suppose it *is* a bit 'wrong' to be making entertainment out of the hard-up.

[Ellipsis]

The Secret Millionaire is good.

What I find interesting about Skint is the fact that hard working taxpayers can see examples of where our taxes are being spent. Talk of workers and shirkers is one thing, but when you see it played out on screen ... it makes you realise that this bit of society literally is not working. If some radical policies are proposed to deal with this, they're more likely to get general approval thanks to programs like Skint. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is a different matter ...