Watch The Great British Benefits Handout

The Great British Benefits Handout is a reality television show produced by Dragonfly Film and Television Productions that premiered in 2016. The show follows an interesting social experiment that aims to explore how people's lives change when they are given a lump sum of money instead of receiving regular state benefits. The experiment involves three unemployed families who are given a significant amount of money for one year instead of their normal state benefits. The show tracks the families' lives during the year and explores the challenges and opportunities that the money provides them.

The show is hosted by Graeme Hawley, an actor and presenter. He introduces the families and explains the concept of the experiment. The families are diverse and come from different parts of the United Kingdom. One family is from the north of England, one from the Midlands, and one from London. Each family has a different set of circumstances that led them to apply for the show.

During the experiment, each family is given the same amount of money, which is calculated based on their normal state benefits. The money is given to them in one lump sum, and they are free to spend it however they choose. The aim of the experiment is to see whether this approach can provide a pathway out of poverty and benefit dependency. The families are encouraged to start their own businesses or invest the money in education or training. They are also given support and advice on how to manage their money.

The show explores the difference that the lump sum of money makes to the families' lives. The families are able to pay off debts, make improvements to their housing, and buy items that they were previously unable to afford. Some of them use the money to start their own businesses or to go back to school. The show also explores the psychological impact of receiving a lump sum of money. For some of the families, it is a transformative experience that gives them hope and a sense of purpose. Others find it difficult to manage the money and struggle with the responsibility that comes with it.

Throughout the series, Graeme Hawley checks in with each family to see how they are doing. He visits their homes, accompanies them on their journeys, and asks them about their experiences. He also interviews experts in the field of benefits and poverty to provide context and analysis.

Overall, The Great British Benefits Handout is an interesting and thought-provoking social experiment. It shines a light on the complex issues surrounding benefit dependency and poverty, and shows how a different approach can make a real difference to people's lives. The families who take part in the experiment are courageous and inspiring, and the show provides a platform for their stories to be heard. The show is relevant and timely in today's society, where many people are struggling to make ends meet. It encourages viewers to think about the wider issues of poverty and inequality and to consider new solutions to these problems.

The Great British Benefits Handout is a series that ran for 2 seasons (23 episodes) between February 9, 2016 and on Dragonfly Film and Television Productions