Tory rag revives ‘benefit scrounger’ lie to smooth over DWP’s bad publicity

Claire first told her story in an appearance on ITV’s This Morning, where she explained that she scrimped on other parts of her life – she only has one pair of shoes – to ensure she makes Christmas special for her children.

Claire has been lambasted by Conservative MPs Andrew Rosindell and David Davies in the Sun’s piece for her “extravagance”, but as the paper fails to note, some of the 11 presents she has bought for each child “cost a pound, or three pounds” (as she told ITV). This number of presents for each child is not extravagant, when you consider that most will be stocking fillers.

The only reason Claire is able to buy presents for her children at Christmas is because she starts saving at the beginning of the year. Putting aside £50 a week, tough when your income relies on the vagaries of the benefit system, is surely something the paper should be applauding when it quotes MPs outraged by “extravagance”.