Britain's hardest-working father emigrates to Australia with his wife and 12 children because the future back home is too grim

New life: Dave, 41, and Jackie Jones, 43, have decided to move with their 12 children Charlotte, 12, Melissa 16, Callum 18, Bradley, 10, Liam, eight, Lydia, four, Shay, three, Hayley, 17, Jayden, six, Stephanie, 15, and Chelsie, 14, to Australia for better opportunities; baby Lily, aged four months, is not pictured

A family of 14 who refused to claim benefits has turned its back on Britain and flown to Australia in search of a brighter future.

David and Jackie Jones, who have seven girls and five boys, have never claimed a penny in state hand-outs.

Instead, Mr Jones, 42, worked a 12-hour night shift to earn enough money to support his family and ensure he had time to spend with his children.

Dave and his wife

He has now given up his job of 15 years and yesterday the family touched down in Brisbane to start their new life.

Mr Jones said: 'I have got to do the best for my kids and I feel like the way the UK is at the moment that the opportunities I want for my children are not going to be there.

Believing Australia would provide a better future, he made the long haul flight with Jackie, 43, and children Charlotte, 12, Melissa, 16, Callum, 18, Lydia, four, Jayden, six, Liam, eight, Hayley, 17, Shay, three, baby Lily, aged four months, Bradley, 10, Stephanie, 15 and Chelsie, 14 on Saturday.

 

Down Under: The Joneses have moved to Brisbane, the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland

Leaving it behind: Barrow in Cumbria, where the Joneses have left behind after deciding to emigrate to Australia

The family will initially stay with friends Frank and Mandy Tucker in Brisbane until Dave can find work and a house big enough for their brood.

 

Dave said: 'What I have said to everyone is that I don't want any tears because this is a happy time.

'It's not a bereavement and no-one's died and nothing bad has happened.

'It is a happy time because it is a new life and a new opportunity for all of us.'