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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Tom Davidson

Dad-of-three on benefits with 'feral' children says work is 'not in his psyche'

A dad-of-three on benefits has brazenly admitted that work is 'not in his psyche'.

But Matt Allen, who live in social housing with his wife and their three children, denied his is abusing the system.

Matt works a few hours as a yoga teacher an says he has 'no intention' of finding work.

In the latest episode of documentary series Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, on the W channel, the presenter stays with the Allen family at their council property in Brighton for three days.

And the Allens tell her that they let all three children co-sleep with them, decide what they eat and can decide their own bed time.

Dad Matt told Stacey Dooley that working full time is not in his psyche (Instagram)

The children are not allowed mainstream medicine such as antibiotics and vaccinations. 

Eldest son Ulysses, eight, can't write his own name.

And Ostara, four, is mostly still in nappies.

Matt, who battles an autoimmune disease, says it is more important that him and his wife, a full time mother, are at home with their children rather than working.

Stacey Dooley pictured with Ostara, Adele, baby Kai and Matt (UKTV)
Ulysses and Ostara are not given bed times and do not go to school (Instagram)

However he doesn't feel he's abusing the system because his family has a 'minimalist impact on society'.

In the documentary Stacey asked: "How do you do it all Matt, is it all benefits?"

He responded: "Mostly, mostly, but we claim the very bottom line."

When asked whether he felt he was taking advantage of the social system he said: "Do we feel as if we're abusing the system?  I really don't think we are, because we have a minimalist impact on society in many respects.

Ulysses eats a dinner of crisps, raw mushrooms and sprouts (Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over / W Channel)

"In regards to social systems - schools and the NHS - we save money on that. Adele didn't have births at hospital so we saved money on that. 

"So in our own unique weird wonderful way we balance the book."

Stacey questions Matt on why other parents work to provide for their children.

When asked what he would say to them, Matt said: "Spend more time with your kids - it's simple.

"I have no intention of working a 45 or 50 hour week - it's just not in my psyche."

The children decide what they want for dinner (Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over / W Channel)

At one in the documentary their son Ulysses chowed down on a meal of raw mushroom, raw brussel sprouts and crisps. 

Matt also confessed that he believes in 'fasting' and admitted that if there was a day his children decided they didn't want to eat anything, he wouldn't insist they did.

Adele seemed relaxed about Ulysses' lack of literacy skills at the age of eight.

She said: "What's it stopping him from doing other than meeting test requirements?

The family once appeared on This Morning to discuss their parenting style (Rex Features)

"I don't know any home educated children who go past the teenage skills and don't pick up the literacy skills. 

"At the moment he's eight years old and it's absolute fine for him to take his time picking up those skills - so it's not urgent right now."

  • Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over airs on Wednesdays at 10pm on W Channel
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