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As reported in the press yesterday (Friday 13th February 2009), Alfie Patten has become a father at the tender age of 13. Him and the child’s mother, Chantelle Steadman have now sparked controversy over what has been called “Broken Britain”.

The schoolboy is barely 4 foot tall and was only 12 when his 15 year old girlfriend conceived after a night of unprotected sex.

In a video posted on the YouTube video sharing site, Alfie was shown cradling his daughter, Maisie Roxanne and when asked what he was going to do financially, he replied “What’s financially?” View the full video here.

This has provoked the political debate, are we living in a “Broken Britain”?

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, who runs the Centre for Social Justice think-tank, said: ‘I don’t know about these particular families but too many dysfunctional families in Britain today have children growing up where anything goes. It exemplifies the point we have been making about broken Britain. It’s not being accusative, it’s about pointing out the complete collapse in some parts of society of any sense of what’s right and wrong.’

David Cameron said: ‘When I saw those pictures, I just thought how worrying that in Britain today children are having children. I hope that somehow these children grow up into responsible parents, but the truth is parenthood is just not something they should even be thinking about right now.’

Gordon Brown said: ‘I don’t know the individual details of the case, but of course I think all of us would want to avoid teenage pregnancies.

Children’s Secretary Ed Balls said: ‘It’s just an awful case. You look at that young lad being a dad when he is so young – and also the teenage girl – and you think it’s not right, this looks so terrible. It has got to be sorted out.’

According to the teenage parents, their baby daughter – born weighing 7lb 3oz – was conceived after a single night of unprotected sex. ‘I was on the Pill but missed one,’ Chantelle told The Sun.

Chantelle discovered she was pregnant when she was 12 weeks after going to her GP with ‘really bad’ stomach pains. However they kept it a secret for 6 weeks and Chantelle’s mother only found out after she thought her daughter was putting on weight.

When interviewed by The Sun newspaper, Chantelle said ‘We know we made a mistake but I wouldn’t change it now. We will be good, loving parents. I’ll be a great mum and Alfie will be a great dad. I have started a church course and I am going to do work experience helping other young mums.’

Chantelle is currently living at her family home with the baby. Alfie lives in nearby Hailsham with his mother but spends much of the time at the Stedman house, often staying the night.

The legal age of sexual consent is 16 but Sussex Police said they had looked into the case and decided it was ‘not in anyone’s interests’ for anyone to be prosecuted. The force said: ‘Sussex Police Child Protection Team were aware of a 14-year-old girl that had become pregnant as a result of a relationship with a 12-year-old boy. A joint agency investigation with East Sussex County Council Children’s Services has taken place which has considered the needs of both individuals and there will be continued support for these two young people in the future.’

Matt Dunkley, director of children’s services at East Sussex County Council, said: ‘Any birth to parents this young is a cause of great concern to us and in these circumstances we will always offer substantial support to the families involved.’

Chantelle Stedman can claim no benefits until she reaches 16, her next birthday but state benefits to support her and her baby will be paid to her mother Penny until then.

At a minimum, the family can expect to receive around £30,000 a year – close to £600 a week.

The family may claim benefits on the basis that Penny’s unemployed partner Steve is a live-in member of the household.

If so, their claims may look like this:

• Child Benefit: Paid automatically for each child – £72.80 a week.
• Council Tax Benefit: Likely to cover the full bill – £30 a week.
• Child Tax Credit: Now the main payment to support children of out-of-work or low income mothers. Possible payment for the five Stedman children – £221 a week.
• Income Support: If paid to Penny and Steve as a live-in couple – £94.95 a week.
• Housing Benefit: Likely to cover the full rent of their council house, together with any service charges. This may be – £150 a week.
• Total: £568.75 a week, or £29,575 a year.

Read the full article at The Sun Online.

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