hullrag1503

Hull family on £32k benefits want more

Friday, October 17, 2008, 07:00

A FAMILY-of-12 from Hull have been dubbed Britain's biggest freeloaders - but today defended their £32,000 annual benefits.

Unemployed Harry and Tracey Crompton share their seven-bed house - two semis knocked into one - with their 10 children.

They survive entirely on benefits and growing their own food - and believe the state should provide them with more money.

Mrs Crompton, 40, said she is hurt when neighbours - who gave the family their uncomplimentary nickname - hurl insults.

She said: "I'm not satisfied with the benefits we get - I want more. I haven't been able to work because I've had to bring up the kids and Harry's got health problems.

"Every time I walk down the street, people shout 'scroungers'."

The family home in Skipwith Close, off 21st Avenue, in north Hull, comes complete with an orchard in their 270ft long garden.

Mrs Crompton says she sees the credit crunch - crippling millions of households - as an opportunity to 'cash in' on cut-price electrical items like TV and computer games for their children.

She said: "If the kids need something I go and get it. I rarely go without things either. If I need something like a new pair of shoes, then I'll get it."

The couple's children are: Michael, 20, Robin, 19, Matthew, 17, Sarah, 16, Samantha ,14, Harry Andrew, 12, Alex, 11, Kristian, nine, Jesse Lee, seven, and Joshua, six.

The family's weekly £120 rent is paid by housing benefit and they receive another £628 a week in income support, disability and carer's allowance and other payments.

Mr Crompton, 50, insists he is unable to work because of angina and irritable bowel syndrome.

His wife says the family do not have money worries, helped by the fact that they are "self sufficient".

She said: "We don't have money worries. We don't go without things and I think that's because we are self-sufficient. We grow our own food. I don't see why others should have money worries."

Despite the organic efforts, Mrs Crompton admits her £250 weekly shop usually comprises 50 packs of crisps and 10 litres of fizzy drinks.

Hull family on £32k want more money
The Cromptons

 

   


















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