Residents of Birmingham's James Turner Street, who found fame in the controversial Channel 4 documentary Benefits Street, have expressed sharply divided opinions about Rachel Reeves' recent Budget announcement.
A Street of Contrasting Opinions
The Budget, which Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch labelled "a Budget for Benefits Street", includes increased welfare spending and the abolition of the two-child benefit cap. This has sparked strong reactions from locals in Winson Green, Birmingham, eleven years after the divisive show first aired.
Mohammed Freed, a 48-year-old father-of-four, welcomed the additional support. "Extra money is always going to be a plus", he said. "I've got four kids, so that's not a problem at all. We're actually quite grateful for it, it's a welcome bonus." However, he emphasised the need for financial education within communities to ensure the money is used wisely.
Support and Criticism from Locals
Ilyas Hussain, a 49-year-old divorced market trader with four children, also supported the change. He explained that the extra funds would assist his ex-wife, who struggles financially. "It affects me, I've got four kids so it definitely helps", he stated, adding that the April implementation would be particularly handy for school-aged children.
In stark contrast, 100-year-old Dorris Peynado, who moved from Jamaica to Britain at 17, condemned the policy as "stupid". She lamented the street's decline, saying, "The world is going mad with it. Spending thousands on kids like this. The street is no better. It's gone to the dogs."
An anonymous local mother voiced concern that the Budget unfairly favoured non-working families and could incentivise having more children. "Ultimately it only benefits those who have loads of kids", she remarked. "We work to fund them, they get to keep having them. How is that fair on us?" Another resident echoed this, noting some families on the street "just keep popping them out".
Wider Community Concerns
Avtar Matharu, an 83-year-old former BT employee living nearby, suggested a compromise. "I think that up to two is OK", he said, "but you'll have to think about both sides." He expressed concern about the financial pressure on the government, proposing a cap of three children. "Beyond three is greedy. People produce these children willy nilly, they can't afford them", he added, reflecting on his own experience of working hard to raise five children.
The mixed reactions on James Turner Street highlight the deep divisions and complex debates surrounding welfare reform and government support for families across the UK.
