A single mum in Birmingham was unemployed and living off benefits - until she heard her son's heartbreaking reality.

The 24-year-old mother of two came from a family that did not work and relied on Universal Credit .

But when her little boy recalled a day at school after the summer holidays, she was inspired to go out and earn a living.

As her son returned from the six-week break and friends told stories of all they had done, he had nothing to say as his mum "didn't have any money to do anything."

After being helped onto a care course through SmartWorks - an unemployment charity - she now works and can even afford to take her children on holidays.

Birmingham SmartWorks centre manager Ann Powell recalled the inspiring story of a mum who 'broke the benefits cycle' during a BirminghamL

See Full Page