Benefit Street

What's my verdict having finally caught up with one of the most talked about programmes on television?
Voyeuristic? Exploitative? Or groundbreaking, important television shining a light into a dark recess of forgotten Britain.
It is certainly uncomfortable viewing. Grinding poverty. Ravaged, broken people. Desperate lives.
We watch in silence.
But there are occasional, surprising shafts of light. Humour. Kindness. Articulate thoughts.
I would always defend this type of programme because it makes us aware of aspects of Britain many of us never see.
But what happens to Benefit Street when the cameras move away?
Sadly, my guess is that nothing much will change.
Benefit Street is not a political priority.
And that is a most depressing, degrading and damning verdict.