Benefits System Comes In For More Criticism
A new survey has uncovered a staggering 25% jump in the number of benefit frauds across the UK, with over £140 million being lost to the criminals each year. The survey has shown a number of astounding examples where people have been running businesses while claiming disability allowance and incapacity benefit - the examples are as shocking as they are unbelievable!
Quite why the councils involved have been unable to cross check simple data held on their systems is unclear as is the reason why so many random checks have been unable to highlight fraudulent activity. While the councils claim that they are being pushed to breaking point due to cost cuts and changes in procedures, the government claim that there is more than enough money to put simple checks in place.
When you consider that over £140 million a year is leaving the coffers of the Treasury by deceitful means it is easy to see why the government’s budget deficit is growing. While the figure of £140 million is shocking, many people actually believe that the figure is much higher with many frauds going undetected.
We seem to have been at this situation on a number of occasions over the past 20 years and while new efforts are made, the fraudsters always seem to find a way around the benefits system.
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