Normal, what is normal? Whatever it is, Sutton is apparently it.
It's not even a little bit normal. According to Government benefits chief Neil Couling, Sutton is the most normal place in the Britain.
What makes something normal anyway? We'd like to hear from you about what stories make Sutton unique.
Why has this come about?
Sutton has been chosen to be a guinea pig in a new roll out of tax credits and benefit payments because its population was so "normal".
@suttonguardian As a born and bred Sutton girl I am trying to hard to think of some extrondinary Sutton fact but all I can say - my hometown
— Catherine (@LadyKK) December 11, 2014
The town was given the uninspiring moniker by benefits chief Neil Couling during Commons Public Accounts committee on Wednesday, December 10.
@Danacea Wife and I went to a party in Sutton few years back...whilst there we were asked if we 'swing'. Don't *think* that is normal.
— Richard Webb (@RaW_writing) December 11, 2014
Sutton was chosen to be the testing ground for the new roll out of universal credits by the Department for Work and Pensions as it has good relations with the borough and because its job centre plus was able to take on the project.
Following the tie-up 17 people across Sutton have been transferred to the new arrangement, which lumps together benefit payments for those on welfare.
According to government figures there are 9,090 people in Sutton on 'key out-of-work benefits', or 7.2 per cent of the population.
The DWP spokesman added that the area was chosen to be a pilot zone as its demographics made it suitable to learn how the scheme would work when rolled out further.
While statistically that may be true, the idea that a London low-crime area with great schools and bountiful open spaces could be seen as anything other than a cause for celebration was quashed by mayor Arthur Hookway.
Coun Hookway said: "A recent Mori poll found that 92 per cent of residents are extremely happy living in Sutton.
"We've got great primary schools, and our secondary schools are the third best in London as judged by Ofsted and we have more parks and open spaces than any of our surrounding boroughs.
"It's such a happy place for people to live and work, I've been out almost everyday for the past six months as mayor and almost every day people come up to me and tell me how great Sutton is.
"If this is what normal is then everybody would like their town to be like this.
"I think a lot of other places would like to be as normal as us."
@MissCinderela @suttonguardian clearly haven't walked down sutton high street on a Saturday morning!
— Tara May (@taramay_x) December 11, 2014
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