A mum who has been hit by benefit cuts has revealed she is being forced to use food banks to feed her eight children.
Marie Buchan claims her benefits have been cut by around £160 per week because her two oldest children are now over the age of 16, Birmingham Live reports .
The 39-year-old, from Birmingham, said the situation has been a “huge struggle”.
“Two of my daughters are over the age of 16 now so I have had my benefits, like child benefits and tax credit, cut,” she said.
"I am around £160 per week worse off now. It is a struggle and I use food banks just to survive. I basically live on food banks at the moment.
"You have to do what you have to do to survive and I am so grateful that I can turn to them. They are a lifesaver for me and so so many other people."
Her children are 20, 18, 16, 15, 13, 11, 10 and eight.
Marie also told Birmingham Live she fears she will never find work due to the tag 'octomum' she has been given.
She added: "Unfortunately I have been given the nickname octomum and that has stuck. It is definitely holding me back from getting a job.
"I have applied for a number of jobs. Employers seem keen at first but when they realise who I am, I am rejected.
"I fear I will never be able to shake the octomum tag off."
Last month Marie revealed how she receives horrendous online abuse from haters who tell her she is a 's***' and say they 'hope she dies'.
Marie said: "Some of the abuse I receive is just vile. They call me a parasite, a s*** and they 'hope I die soon'. Others say I'm a 'scrounger' and I've had threats of men coming to get me and 'teach me a lesson'.
"It can be hell at times. I don't know what people get out of being so horrible but they must just get sick kicks.
"It is very hard at times to read that stuff and horrible for the children as well. When you are feeling low it can really make you sink even lower.
"It has got to stop. People don't understand the impact on someone who is in the limelight. I have contacted the police before due to the threats."
Marie lives in a housing association property. She is currently on benefits but is looking for work and has been on several courses.
Back in January Marie revealed she had been isolating at home with coronavirus when she became extremely ill and was hospitalised.
An ambulance was sent to her home and the mum was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital where she was placed on a drip.
She told how she thought she was going to die as she coughed up blood and suffered coughing fits but fortunately came through.
