David Cameron weighs in to Benefits Street row

The Prime Minister has weighed in to the controversy over Channel 4's Benefits Street programme.

Speaking on a visit to Teesside today, David Cameron said: "The Benefits Street message is the same - it's better to help people off benefits and in to work."

The first episode of the show, which was filmed on the Tilery Estate in Stockton-on-Tees, aired last night.

Critics claim it is an unfairly bleak portrayal of life on Kingston Road. However, Julie Young, who features heavily in the programme with her friend Sue Griffiths, today defended it as an accurate portrayal of community life.

Our Correspondent Gregg Easteal reports.

Credit: Benefits Street on Channel 4