A 24-year-old who was unemployed for two years has blamed the government for stopping him working by giving him such generous benefits.

Daniel Shaw, from Manchester, received £16,800 in state handouts which he says meant he had no incentive to find work.

But he had to rely on food banks for survival after he gambled away his money and still did not look for a job.

He has now appeared in a TV programme about people who claim benefits.

(Image: Channel 5)

“As it stands I am earning more now than someone on minimum wage in a shop”, he told Channel 5 documentary Benefits, which aired on Monday night.

“I want a job but it makes me think ‘why?’ when I am on more money from benefits. It’s the government’s fault, they are basically making me pick the easy way because they are giving me so much money, it’s ridiculous.

“I don’t want to be known as a lazy benefits scrounger but they are dishing all these benefits out left, right and centre and so I am going to take it.”

Daniel also blamed the government for allowing him to gamble away his money.

What do you think? Tell us in our Comments section below the story

(Image: Channel 5)

He added: “I got a same day benefits payment and I blew it all in the casino, I lost £410 which was to last me a fortnight.

“The government gave me all my money on the same day and I have gambled it away so it is them to blame.”

He said had the right to chose how to spend the handouts, adding: “I am entitled to that money and there are no rules on what I have to spend it on. I couldn’t give a t*** what anyone thinks, regardless of whether you are on benefits or working, my money is my money and I will do what I want with it.”

After frittering away his benefits Daniel turned to foodbanks for survival. He was given bags of tinned food, chocolate, cereal and tea bags which he estimated to be worth around £40.

(Image: Channel 5)

He said: “Food banks are there to help people like me on benefits get out of the sticky situation you find yourself in... I got £100 loan from my cousin and I could have used that to buy food but this service is here to help me. I am entitled to it so why aren’t I going to take it?”

Daniel admitted he has been in trouble with the law 20 times. His convictions include drinking in public, assault, criminal damage and breach of the peace.

He did time in Strangeways prison but said the experience made him determined to obey the law as he never wants to be behind bars again.

At the end for the show it was revealed Daniel now has a job in Manchester.

He said he was keen for a fresh start and not to be stuck in the “vicious circle” he found himself in.