I’ve been on benefits for 23 years but still spend thousands on Christmas presents – it’s all thanks to the taxpayer
HEADING downstairs on Christmas morning, Marie Buchan’s eight children will be greeted by mounds of presents under the tree all wrapped in shiny paper.
The paper which wraps each gift will have set her back over £20 a piece, let alone the expensive designer clothes and trainers that are nestled inside.
In all she allocates £150 for each of her eight children – and £50 on her grandson, meaning she spends £1,250 on gifts alone.
Despite being on benefits, Marie, 43, sees no reason to hold back: “My kids shouldn’t go without just because I’m not working,” the mum - dubbed ‘Britain’s biggest benefits scrounger’ tells Fabulous.
“It’s a special time of year and they want what all their friends have.
“So I’ll make sure they get it. Being on benefits doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate special occasions, I just feel sorry for kids whose parents don’t bother.”
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This isn’t the first time Marie has courted controversy admitting how she lives a life of luxury which is fully funded by the taxpayer.
She first hit the headlines ten years ago after complaining that her £500 a week in benefits wasn't enough to live on.
She’s further enraged the public by admitting she managed to save enough money to not only go abroad for a boob job but buy a horse too.
She’s been on benefits on and off for an eye-watering 23 years – occasionally working in jobs such as being a carer, though it is seven years since she last worked.
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She’s since complained her four-bedroom house in Selly Oak, Birmingham, isn’t big enough for her enormous brood including Tia, 23, Leah, 22, La Toya, 19, Joshua, 18, Alisha, 15, Mikayla, 13, Amelia, 12, and Olivia, 11.
Tia has now moved into her own council accommodation with Marie’s two-year-old grandson.
Meanwhile, Marie’s youngest children also benefit from free school meals.
Despite finding the money to have a lavish Christmas, Marie insists she’s struggling as her child benefits get cut as soon as her children reach 16.
She says, “I’ve had to sell my horse as I couldn’t afford the expense and we’ve even visited food banks in the past year.
“But some months are harder than others and when I do have a good month, and I’ve managed to make a bit extra by selling stuff on Vinted and at car boot sales, then I’ll spend what I’ve got left on Christmas presents.
"Spreading it through the year and buying stuff in the sales really helps.
"If I hadn’t saved anything then I’d take out a loan, I’ve done it before as I’m determined that my kids don’t miss out.
“People say that I don’t need to buy my adult children as much – but I always like to treat them equally, they’re all my kids. It’s only my grandson who I spend less on because he’s only two and too little to realise.
“The amount I spend has gone up and up as the kids get older as they want what their friends have.”
Marie spends a further £150 on food for her brood – she’s having not only turkey but a joint of lamb this year.
The night before they’ll snuggle down with barrels of Christmas chocolates to watch a movie, clad in brand new matching festive pyjamas, costing around £50 a set.
I’m hated by so many people, I get spat at in the street and trolled constantly.
Marie Buchan
She admits, “I’ll blow a load of cash on Christmas and then we’ll eat baked beans, I know it’s not sensible but I can’t help myself – it’s such a special time of year.”
Marie insists she will soon try to get work, but says she’s hampered by her scrounger reputation which wards off potential employers.
She says, “I’m hated by so many people, I get spat at in the street and trolled constantly, I’m sent death threats and get told I shouldn’t be allowed to have children.
"I don’t think I deserve it, I’m not doing anything illegal. I’ve got mental health issues so I’m signed off by the doctor.
"And I’ve always wanted to be there for my kids, what’s the point in having them if you never see them?
“I do want to get back to work now that they're older, as I feel like I’m wasting my life and I need to achieve something.
"But there isn’t enough support for me.
How can I get a council house?
To apply for a council home, you need to fill out and hand in an application to your local authority.
To find your local authority, simply use the Government's council locator tool on its website.
Once you have access to your local council's website, it should offer you guidelines on how to complete your application.
After applying, you'll most likely have to join a waiting list.
Bear in mind, even if you are put on a waiting list, this doesn't guarantee you a council house offer.
Your council should also offer you advice on how to stay in your current home and solve any issues you might have, such as problems with a private landlord or mortgage.
You are eligible to if you are a British citizen living in the UK providing have not lived abroad recently.
Each council has its own local rules about who qualifies to go on the housing register in its area, but it is based on "points" or a "banding" system.
For example, you’re likely to be offered housing first if you:
- are homeless
- live in cramped conditions
- have a medical condition made worse by your current home
- are seeking to escape domestic violence
Once you are high enough on a council's waiting list, it will contact you when a property is available.
Some councils let people apply at the age of 18, while others let you apply even sooner at 16-year-olds.
EU workers and their families and refugees may also be eligible.
A council house is reached through a points system, so depending on your housing needs, you may be considered low priority.
The council will contact you about any available property once you are high enough on the waiting list.
There is no limit on how long you can expect to be on the waiting list.
“I’d like to work as a mechanic as I’ve got some training in it. But garages are very sexist and they seem reluctant to employ a woman.
“And it’s hard to know where to start, I’d need to go back to college for a refresher course and if I was working then I’d have to top up my rent payments and I’d lose things like free school meals, so I might end up worse off.
“I did contemplate doing OnlyFans to get some extra cash, but I don’t think anybody would like to see my body at the moment!”
Marie acknowledges that her lavish Christmas might be irritating for the taxpayer to read about.
She says, “I’ve got a friend who’s currently faced with a £100,00 tax bill and she pointed out that that money is going to people like me. I know she finds it frustrating.
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"And I can see that my previous behaviour must have been very annoying. I do regret frittering away the cash on my horse and cosmetic surgery and boasting about it.
“But I don’t think anyone should begrudge kids having treats at Christmas.”
