Marie Buchan, a 42-year-old mother of eight, has ignited controversy by boasting about her estimated £500,000 in benefits collected throughout her adult life.
Often referred to as Britain’s “welfare queen,” Buchan has utilized her benefits to finance a lifestyle that includes cosmetic surgeries and even the purchase of a horse.
Buchan first entered the benefits system at the age of 19 after having her first child.
She has publicly maintained that relying on government assistance has allowed her to dedicate more time to raising her children. According to her, the financial support has made it more feasible for her to focus on family life.
In 2018, Buchan underwent a £1,500 breast augmentation in Turkey, stating that her lifestyle choices were supported by her financial situation. She emphasized that being on benefits has “never held her back” from achieving her personal goals and desires.
Reflecting on her decisions, Buchan admitted to making a costly mistake when she purchased a horse. She revealed that she initially paid £600 for the animal and incurred an additional £100 a month in upkeep costs. “I was showing off and rubbing it in people’s faces, and I really regret that,” she confessed.
Ultimately, Buchan had to sell the horse due to financial difficulties. She remarked, “Maybe if I go back to work, I could buy another one,” highlighting her awareness of the potential for future employment and its associated income.
Buchan claims that she financed her cosmetic surgeries through earnings from car boot sales. She expressed an understanding of the outrage directed at her lifestyle, acknowledging that it’s “very easy to sit in the system for the rest of your life.”
The backlash against Buchan has been intense, with many online commentators labeling her a “parasite” and expressing hostility towards her choices. “It can be hell at times,” she admitted, noting how the negative attention affects both her and her children.
In 2020, Buchan took a holiday to Spain, citing the need for a break from her responsibilities as a mother during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During this period, she claimed around £500 a week in benefits to support her household, which includes children aged between six and 16.
Despite facing criticism, Buchan has spoken about the challenges of raising her large family on benefits. She has emphasized that, for her, there was little incentive to pursue work, as the financial support she receives allows her to provide for her children.
Buchan has also discussed how sexism has affected her aspirations for a career. Although she holds a Level 2 diploma in mechanics, she believes that societal attitudes have prevented her from fully pursuing her career goals.
As her story continues to attract media attention, Marie Buchan remains a polarizing figure in the ongoing debate over welfare use and social support in the UK.
