Benefits

Documentary following lives of people who rely on benefits, beginning with those who cannot find work as they are obese. Amy Johnston is 18, weighs more than 30st and is virtually housebound, and her mother Sharon claims that being on benefits has contributed to her daughter's problems. Stephen Beer has not worked in five years and thinks that bosses are prejudiced against fat people and says that he wants to lose weight to try to make himself employable as he prepares for his wedding to partner Michelle Coomb. Cameras also follow Rachel Lacy as she undergoes gastric bypass surgery, which she believes will save the taxpayer money in the long run.

Three generations of the Kerrigan family live in one of the most deprived parts of Sheffield and claim tens of thousands of pounds in benefits each year. Mum-of-five Rose volunteers with sister Annette at the local food bank, but neither has ever had a full-time job, while her nephew Adam is a father of four and has been on the dole for three years. Another nephew Robert is also on benefits, but insists his children won't be dressed in `cheap tacky clothes' and buys himself at least one pair of designer trainers every few weeks.

This episode focuses on Richard who is determined not to get a full-time job while pursuing his dream of becoming an actor, while looking after his 61-year-old mum and his 60-year-old fiancee. At 40 years old, Lee has never had a full-time job saying foreigners have taken all the jobs he can do, while Phil and Sue are on benefits and have their accommodation paid for while they spend their days volunteering at a local food bank.

This edition focuses on three women on benefits who are struggling to bring up their children. Kailey has five kids and has not worked in 10 years, but insists that single parents like her get too much undeserved criticism, while mother-of-seven Claire says it is a massive battle to raise her large family and pay the bills despite claiming more than £30,000 a year in benefits. Lisa is also a mum of seven and asserts there is no way she could cope with a job while looking after her kids and caring for her husband Paul, who has health problems.