Channel 4's Benefits Street: The reaction

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A Channel 4 documentary sparked controversy again last night with the premiere of Benefits Street.

The show chronicles the life of residents of James Turner Street in Winson Green, Birmingham, where a large proportion of the residents are on benefits.

Yesterday, some of the residents involved in the series alleged that Channel 4 had misrepresented them, having been told the documentary would highlight community spirit when really it portrayed them as benefit scroungers.

Many people took to Twitter to express their anger at the portrayal of society’s most vulnerable.

Others, however, vented their rage at what they saw as almost an entire street sponging off the state. As well as threats and abuse, responses included:

What did you think of the show? Leave your comments below.