A mother-of-eight dubbed Britain's 'Welfare Queen' has suggested Andy Burnham should slash the welfare bill, saying the country "can't cope" with soaring benefits spending.
Marie Buchan, 44, from Selly Oak in the West Midlands, previously made headlines for reportedly buying a horse and a designer vagina while receiving benefits. She now says she plans to get a job as she can no longer rely on welfare handouts to raise her family.
Universal Credit 'got out of control'
Speaking after the Budget on Wednesday, Ms Buchan told The Sun: "Not everyone can claim Universal Credit for the rest of their lives. It's got out of control now. The country can't cope."
The single mother said she receives £1,200 per month in Universal Credit and Child Benefit, but the amount is no longer enough and she may have to return to work.
When asked whether she would consider entering work full-time, she told The Sun: "It is going to have to come to that now. I'm 44 now, my life has been raising the children and living on benefits."
Return to work plans
Ms Buchan, who still has seven children living at her four-bedroom home, said any job would have to "work around" her family. She has reportedly claimed benefits on-and-off for 25 years.
She claims she has qualifications as a car mechanic and previously worked as a carer during Covid. Ms Buchan said she suffered a nervous breakdown while working as a carer in 2021.
Government under pressure
The Prime Minister and Chancellor have come under scrutiny over the ballooning cost of welfare after this week's Budget failed to tackle the growing issue. Labour has so far refused to commit to reducing the welfare bill before the next general election.
Chancellor John Healey said there is no "timetable" set to bring the cost down, sparking fury from the Conservatives who accused the Government of delaying "tough decisions". The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has warned sickness and disability benefits could skyrocket to £100 billion a year before the end of the decade.
MPs in Labour's Red Wall have reportedly urged the Prime Minister to cut the benefits bill or risk losing their seats to Reform UK. Speaking on Thursday, Mr Burnham said the Government wants to get the welfare bill "down as quickly as possible" and that they are working "flat out" on the issue. Mr Healey said any cuts would be done in a "Labour way", without providing further details.
In the Budget, Mr Healey announced millions of households will receive £100 energy payments in January to help with rising bills. Ms Buchan told The Sun the cash "won't go far", echoing warnings from campaigners.
