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MY partner’s daughter never stops asking for handouts.

She’s an adult with a husband and children, but has no shame when it comes to begging.

She works part-time but can’t seem to manage her income so, four days before payday we’re asked for anything between £100 and

£400 – and I’m sick of it. I know that my partner has paid off several big bills recently too. What really annoys me is that when she gets a whisper that we’re planning to book a holiday cottage or go to a restaurant, she rings and asks if her gang can come.

Consequently, an Italian meal goes from costing us

£40 for two to £200 for six because they all have three courses and drink wine.

Recently she’s asked if we’d consider underwriting her mortgage because they’d like a bigger place.

This is the final straw as far as I’m concerned, yet I can’t trust my partner who is as soft as butter.

JANE SAYS: This constant “chipping away” is clearly getting you down.

You don’t want to come across as mean, but feel like you’re under siege from your adult stepdaughter.

Basically, you never know when she’s going to strike next as she has no shame.

Why doesn’t your partner sit down with her and have a chat? If the woman is wasting cash on unnecessary items, then she needs to be told that food, the mortgage and utility bills are the priorities.

She needs to be told that you don’t run a charity and that she’s got to start looking after herself.

As for underwriting her mortgage; your partner has to understand that that would be a relationship breaker for you and is completely non-negotiable.

You and he have to think about your own financial future, too.