Tits on the taxpayer
Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 12:12 am
Most families who are due to lose their child benefit are worrying about how they'll make ends meet without it.
But for Kelly Marshall, who has five children by four different fathers, the handout has never been about paying for nappies, food and other everyday expenses.
She saved her benefit money to help pay for breast enhancement.
And as many parents envisage tightening their belts after the Tories announced plans to cut the benefit for higher-rate taxpayers, she plans to save more of hers for liposuction and a tummy tuck.
Miss Marshall, who has never worked, rakes in almost £29,000 a year from benefits - and last year spent £4,500 to go from a 34A to a 34DD.
She explained: 'I have wanted a boob job since I was a teen. But it wasn't until I had five children that I could afford it - with all the extra benefits I get. Now I hope to have liposuction, a tummy tuck and regular Botox.
'I thought having children would make my boobs bigger, but that never happened so I decided to do something about them.
'I saved money from my benefits for four months to cover half the cost and put the rest on a credit card, which I pay back with my benefits.
'I know most people will think it is wrong I am spending taxpayers' money on my looks. But I deserve it because I am a good mum. Having children has taken its toll on my body. All mums should be able to have cosmetic surgery.
'I don't care that it is at the taxpayers' cost,' she told Closer magazine. 'I am just proud of my looks and family - and it's my decision what the money is spent on.'
Miss Marshall, 32, receives monthly payments of £870 in housing benefit, £975 in child tax credit, and £303 in child benefit, giving her an income equivalent to a pre-tax salary of £39,000.
On Monday, George Osborne announced plans to prevent families on benefits receiving more than £26,000 a year.
The Chancellor said the aim was to put a cap on the maximum amount it is possible for any one person to claim and linked the figure to the average working income.
Critics pointed out, however, that any working household would need to earn at least £35,000 to take home £26,000.
Miss Marshall has no plans to start working. She once went to a job centre, but quickly realised she would be financially much better off if she did not work.
'What's the point? My mum worked all her life and she paid taxes so I feel I am getting what I deserve,' she said. 'Some people might think I am a scrounger.
'But I don't think me or my children should miss out on nice things just because I have never worked.' Miss Marshall's children, aged between three and 16, don't appear to miss out.
They all have the latest computers and gadgets, and the family have been on two holidays abroad this year.
They have a PlayStation3, a Wii and an Xbox 360 and each of the children has an additional games console to themselves.
However, Miss Marshall said: 'They only have three laptops between them so I might have to buy another one soon because they don't like sharing.'
She also wants them to experience the benefits of travel.
'I always take the kids abroad,' she said. 'We have been to Tenerife and Cyprus, and this year we have been to Magaluf twice.
'Each holiday costs about £2,000, but it's good to get away, and the kids and I deserve it.'
Back home at the detached house that she shares with Lewis, 16, twins Mia and Kallie, 11, Nio, ten, and three-year-old Lenni, Miss Marshall has furnished each of the four bedrooms with a flat-screen TV and keeps a separate wardrobe just for her jeans.
She also says she has a penchant for designer labels, which is shared by her daughters, who 'love Armani'.
However, although Miss Marshall receives more than many hard-working families she admits that she has also run up £10,000 of debt.
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