Welfare State

Families of 12 with a difference: One lives on Dad's £15,000 wage... their neighbours get £32,000 benefits (yet still complain)

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It is a story which crystalises the dubious values encouraged by the British welfare state.

While hardworking Sean and Anne Tate scrimp to afford a few little luxuries for their ten children on his £15,000 lorry driver's salary, a family of the same size two miles away take things a little easier.

Harry Crompton, 50, has been out of work for 15 years and his wife Tracey, 40, has never had a job. Yet thanks to the generosity of the welfare state they receive £32,656 a year. 

The Cromptons have been nicknamed 'Britain's Biggest Freeloaders' by their neighbours in Hull.  

They receive a further £628 a week in income support, disability allowance, carer's allowance, child tax credit, plus £120 a week rent on their seven-bedroom house.