If you didn’t watch Benefit Street last week I am sure you have heard about the controversial programme since. I feel that benefit street is all for propaganda, designed to make viewers cross for a purpose. Firstly I want to say I am glad we have a benefits system, access to free education and an NHS free at the point of delivery. At times I may criticise all three but not often at the same time. I write this at a time we have the fastest growing poverty gap between rich and poor. The current (unelected) Government have seen fit to attack the poorest and most vunerable in their welfare reforms. I have been in receipt of benefit when my gorgeous girl needed surgery due to her DDH. I claimed both Disability Living Allowance and carers allowance as I was forced to take a year unpaid from my career of ten years as a teacher. Those benefits were much needed for a short period of time in our life when circumstance over took us. I blogged about the welfare reforms last year and again in April when the NHS was attacked.
What is all this to do with Benefit Street you are probably wondering. I watched last weeks show along with 4 million others. I was appalled by some of the behaviour. I can see no right or justification in shoplifting or committing benefit fraud. I was also irritated by the self titled ‘black Dee’ for commenting that she could not pay her arrears as she doesn’t ‘get paid’ for a fortnight. I can understand how some end up in arrears but it was the ‘paid’ commented that I balked at. Receiving benefits is not being paid.
However I did not finish watching the programme and think ALL those in receipt of benefits are like those portrayed last week. In fact it made me think about just how vulnerable some people are. The self acknowledged alcoholics have lost their families and their self respect due to addictions. Drinking cheap beer all day long is not a typical representation of how people live. It illustrated those individuals who need more help – they don’t need stereotyping and labelling. I do not believe they are typical of those on benefits. I see and teach many a child who experience poverty – and struggle on a daily basis. This tiny snapshot on one street is not a representative sample. Current housing policy often creates streets like this – streets where the vulnerable are placed together and other families refuse to live. Sink estates / areas develop and receive a reputation.
What was the purpose of the programme? To me this is a way of justifying the welfare reforms. It plays to the coalition (unelected) government who want the general public to fear and despise those relying on benefits. The filming took over a year to be cut and edited to show what was seen last week. It is not typical – it is sensationalist. I am not saying the scenes didn’t happen but in reality those characters are not typical. I want the general public to recognise that whilst the gap of poverty grows in our society there are real people, young families, the disabled, the elderly (which is where the biggest proportion of welfare benefits and resources go) and those on low incomes or searching for work who are really struggling. The cost of heating has risen, the cost of food increasing and for many the future is pretty bleak. Don’t be fooled by the media, who are gatekeepers of information. The media is distorted – it has been editied and created for entertainment. It is not a portrayal of real life experienced by those on benefits.
You will not see me after the programme condemning those receiving benefits. I am glad that I pay my benefits and that I am helping those less fortunate at this time. I am sure many of those are looking forward to the day they too are paying back into a system and I hope that day comes soon for the many honest people that were also tarnished with the brush that suggests all those on benefits are scroungers and laughing at taxpayers.
One Response
I completely agree but wish that people could see past the stereotyped prejudices and see what the residents thought they were filming – that humanity exists and in hard times people do come together and help one another out. Shame the programme didn’t focus on that more, but guess they also wouldn’t have got their viewing figures.