Just skipped through this thread and I am not going to judge the family concerned, but I think there is an argument for a decent standard of living in the UK, which it has become apparent that a lot of people cannot afford and by that I mean decent accomodation at a fair price with a council tax system that really does need updating.
Nobody has questioned whether it is against the parent's religion to not use birth control methods - it is a possibility (but I doubt it), but he has shot himself in the foot about saying he is better off through NOT working - I'm pretty sure the Jobcentre would have 'phoned him by now.
Just as a side note (and in my experience) this sort of thing does not happen abroad. Firstly, because the Welfare State (as it is pretty much unique in it's English guise) doesn't exist to the same extent and secondly because there appears to be more of an extended family unit abroad whereby there is (usually) someone close at hand to help should the going get a bit too tough.