The Great British Benefits Handout

TV Show · Reality

Three long-term unemployed families on benefits will each be given a cash lump sum of £26,000 upfront (the current maximum amount of benefits given in a year to most families) in return for signing off. Will the families have what it takes to escape the benefit trap and start a business or get a job? Or will they just blow the lot?

2016 · 45m

Season 1

  • Episode 1
    EPISODE 1
    Episode 1
    The families receive their cash and set about making long-term plans, but the temptation to enjoy an initial splurge proves to be difficult to refuse.
    45m
  • Episode 2
    EPISODE 2
    Episode 2
    Tony and Diane realise that starting a second-hand business is not going to be as easy as they thought; Scott bought bouncy castles last week and now cannot resist a £260 lizard.
    45m
  • Episode 3
    EPISODE 3
    Episode 3
    Six weeks on, Tony buys two slot machines to sell on for a profit at a car boot sale, while wife Diane prepares for a job interview; Leane tackles Scott about his spending, and a recently purchased raccoon causes chaos at their home.
    44m
  • Episode 4
    EPISODE 4
    Episode 4
    Tony and Diane are experiencing a shift in their relationship when she gets a job for the first time in seven years, Scott and Leanne's business goes from strength to strength, and single mum Rachel bravely hands out her CVs.
    44m
  • Episode 2
    EPISODE 2
    Episode 2
    Lorraine gets her trading licence and proceeds to set up her children's clothing stall, but will Romford's discerning market-goers like what they see?
    44m
  • Episode 3
    EPISODE 3
    Episode 3
    Empty-nester Lorraine is finding the new family dynamic a shock; Adam is super-eager to get back to work, Kim's tanning business has really taken off, and Donna is still trying her best to make the cut.
    45m

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About

The Great British Benefits Handout

Reality

Three long-term unemployed families on benefits will each be given a cash lump sum of £26,000 upfront (the current maximum amount of benefits given in a year to most families) in return for signing off. Will the families have what it takes to escape the benefit trap and start a business or get a job? Or will they just blow the lot?

Information

Studio
Channel 5
Released
2016

Languages

Subtitles

English (United Kingdom) (SDH)

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Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Botswana
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cape Verde
  • Egypt
  • Eswatini
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • India
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger (English)
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uganda
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Zimbabwe

Asia Pacific

  • Australia
  • Cambodia
  • Fiji
  • 香港
  • Indonesia (English)
  • 日本
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • 澳門
  • Malaysia (English)
  • Micronesia, Federated States of
  • Mongolia
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • 대한민국
  • 台灣
  • Thailand
  • Turkmenistan
  • Vietnam

Europe

  • Armenia
  • Österreich
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France (Français)
  • Deutschland
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • Italia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg (English)
  • Malta
  • Moldova, Republic Of
  • Nederland
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal (Português)
  • Россия
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • España
  • Sverige
  • Schweiz
  • Türkiye (English)
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina (Español)
  • Bahamas
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Bolivia (Español)
  • Brasil
  • Virgin Islands, British
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile (Español)
  • Colombia (Español)
  • Costa Rica (Español)
  • Dominica
  • República Dominicana
  • Ecuador (Español)
  • El Salvador (Español)
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala (Español)
  • Honduras (Español)
  • México
  • Nicaragua (Español)
  • Panamá
  • Paraguay (Español)
  • Perú
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Venezuela (Español)

The United States and Canada

  • Canada (English)
  • Canada (Français)
  • United States
  • Estados Unidos (Español México)