Too many depend on welfare in UK

London: Thousands of families are raking in housing benefits worth more than £26,000 (Dh138,496) per year, according to an analysis of the welfare system.

A total of 3,400 people are receiving the bumper handouts — the equivalent to having an interest-only mortgage worth around £650,000.

The study, based on Treasury figures, shows that families are allowed to claim up to a maximum of £94,000 a year — or £1,800 a week — to live in a five-bedroom property in Central London.

It paints a depressing picture of Britain's dependency culture and will enrage millions of hardworking taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet.

Britain's bill for housing benefits is this year expected to hit nearly £20 billion — up £3 billion on last year — despite repeated pledges by ministers to crack down on excessive claims.