Channel Four's Benefits Street makes for pretty scary viewing, doesn't it? A little bit more for me as James Turner Street isn't too far across Birmingham from where I was brought up in the 50s/60s!

The viewing figures are huge for a Channel Four. 4 million for the first programme, five million for the second, with 3 more to go!

Wonder why we've taken to it & it's fly on the wall depiction of residents of one of Britain's most benefit-dependent streets to reveal the daily challenges they face, such as poverty, illiteracy, and drug and alcohol problems.

Are we shocked, appalled? Is there a bit of but for the Grace of God in there too? The Romanians will have provoked extreme emotions, reactions from us. But, on the other hand, if our family had to seek refuge elsewhere, wouldn't we appreciate some caring welcome & some support?

The Welfare State began as a safety net for our most vulnerable in our society, not sure it was ever meant to be a feather bed, as I'm sure many viewers have judged?

Have these people created their own circumstances or are they victims?

Who profits from their circumstances? Employers who can offer just above poverty line wages to those in desperate circumstances? Landlords who get pretty good guaranteed rents for some pretty ropey accommodation? Drug dealers?

Yet there's also a strong sense of community, and proof that small acts of kindness between neighbours can go a long way.

Tune in...it's not a comfortable watch!

Why do you think this street exists? Why do we watch this stuff so avidly? We didn't like the reasonably recent BBC Panorama focussing on Shadsworth estate in Blackburn, did we? What would really, once & for all, solve whatever these issues are?

There will be simplistic knee jerk populist hang them, flog them responses...but let's see what long term, constructive ideas are out there?

It's not right how it is, is it!