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Analysis: Are We Living in Benefits Britain? 20.01.14 Part 2

623 views · Published 22 October 2014 · 21:37 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: Islam Channel · 2014 · News & Politics

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The residents of James Turner Street in Birmingham have become the subject of national interest after close to 5 million people tuned into the Channel 4 series 'Benefit Street' this week.

The ferocity of the debate that followed has shone a light on attitudes towards Britain's welfare system. As the government continues to shrink the welfare budget, is it time to address a system in crisis? And how do you decide who gets what? 

As cuts bite harder in Britain there is argument that too many people are claiming benefits. But the latest figures from the department of work and pensions show that over £10 billion of benefits go unclaimed every year. 

Of these £2 billion is made up of unclaimed income support, £3.1 billion in housing benefit, £1.95 billion in job seekers allowance, £2.4 billion in council tax benefit and £2.8 billion in pension credit.

Joining John Rees to discuss this are Rabia Bhatti, Conservative Councillor for Chesham, Adam Memon, Head of Economic Research at the Centre for Policy Studies, Steve Hart from the CLASS think tank, and Raoul Martinez, Artist, Writer, & Film maker.

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