Claire Young, who has six children, receives around £800 a week in benefits and she told Holly, 36, and Phil, 55, that she tries her best to save around £50 a week for Christmas presents.
“I start in January and I save all the year through,” she explained. “If I need to dip into it then I will, so by the end of November, I have a nice amount to buy presents.
“It is literally all about the children – me and my partner don’t get anything,” she defended.
Claire added that her kids get roughly 11 presents each, of roughly the same value, and insisted that she has the right to spend her money in the way she wants to.
She said: “There are parents out there who do spend every weekend out, but I don’t, I spend every waking moment with my children.
“I don’t drink, I don’t take drugs. I have one pair of shoes – when these run out I will go and buy another pair.”
What’s more, This Morning was joined by a working mother who has bought over 300 presents for her three children.
Surrounded by her goods, Emma Tapping insisted that her kids are always grateful of their gifts.
“I work hard for my money – why would I slog if I can’t treat my kids at Christmas?” she asked.
Emma continued: “I’ve heard people say it’s not about under the tree, it’s about who’s around it.
“I know if I pop my clogs tomorrow then my kids will know that mum gave it them all.”
However, viewers on Twitter were not happy at the mothers and flocked to share their outrage.
One wrote: “Excuse me lady, benefits are to help a person survive, not to waste it on mindless hedonism….”
A second fumed: “Woman “I spend 2k on Xmas” must be conning system somewhere. No one we know on benefits can save £50 a week!!! Neither do they drink & smoke. Her interview makes others feel they fail. Not in keeping of season of goodwill.”
Another added: “#ThisMorning now lets see the real face of those on benefits that use foodbanks etc and.. this women is not a true representation of real poverty or the working poor. Next…”
But others felt differently about the parents, as one defended: “This woman works and pays for her kids presents? Why do people have an issue with that? I really want to know why people get upset on how someone spends their own money. She starts in January and works hard. What’s the issue?”
A different Twitter user posted: “This Claire who’s on benefit is getting slayed for spending £333 on each of her kids honestly that’s nothing in this day and age. People are just petty. It’s her money if it’s off the system or not.”
This Morning airs weekdays on ITV from 10.30am.
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