Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has lambasted "super-size families" in Britain for "scrounging" the benefits system.
His intervention came as the latest data revealed that more than a dozen super-sized families with at least 13 children are claiming an estimated £229 every week, a cost of almost £1,000 a month to the taxpayer.
Currently there is no limit on the number of children parents can claim for, but the figures have raised serious questions about the need for a cap, much like the two child benefit cap, which restricts Universal Credit payments to the first two kids in most households.
Speaking to GB News, Anderson criticised the system for "allowing people to have as many kids as they want to and letting the state pick up the tab".
Lee Anderson hit out at 'benefits scroungers' who are claiming thousands for 'super-size' families
GB News
At an estimated cost of £150million to the tax payer each year, Anderson claimed it is "not fair" on the working Britons who are covering the cost.
In discussion with host Patrick Christys, Anderson fumed: "13 kids seems a lot in this day and age. 70 years ago, it was commonplace that families would have 8 or 9 children, but they had to work hard.
"Nowadays, it seems that if you have as many children as you want to, that the state will pick the tab up. It's not fair on the hard working taxpayer. I strongly suggest that if people can have 13 kids, they probably need to get out more, get a job and contribute towards society."
Patrick was in agreement with Anderson, and highlighted the "worrying message" it is sending out to their children, by not working and claiming benefits.
Britain's 'super-size families' are claiming thousands in benefits payments every year, it has been revealed
Getty
Anderson responded: "It just sends the wrong message out because these children are being brought up in a culture of nobody going to work in the household.
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"If there's a lot more children in the house, the parents probably don't go to work, they're dependent on the state benefits, it's not fair on the state and it's not fair on the children."
When asked by Patrick how the UK Government should deal with the issue, suggesting they "can't stop people reproducing", Anderson claimed that there are "certain ways around the benefit cap".
Anderson explained: "Well, we haven't got a benefit cap, and there's certain ways that the claimants can get around this.
"Some of these people are raking in 40, 50, 60 grand a year in benefits. That's not fair."
Lee Anderson said 'firmer measures' need to be in place with the benefits system
GB News
Patrick then asked Anderson for his view on Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride's plans to hold "bootcamps" for benefits claimants, for roles in key sectors facing shortages including hospitality, care, construction and manufacturing.
Speaking to GB News, Stride hailed the plans as an "opportunity to get British people into those domestic jobs", and "unleash Britain’s hidden army of talent".
The Reform MP told GB News that so-called ‘bootcamps’ are not the answer, and firmer measures should be in place.
Anderson raged: "Let’s be clear, bone-idle dole scroungers should be made to work and if they don’t, they should have their benefits stopped.
"This bootcamp is a load of nonsense. It’s carrot and stick. If you don’t go to work, you don’t get benefits and you have to fend for yourself. It’s absolutely ridiculous."