Families where no one has ever worked, nor wanted to, and claim all the benefits they can.

falseeconomy.org.uk/tax/hmrc

Why more workers are needed in HMRC. The government thinks all it needs are more computers.

Helloooo DJ!
Still wondering why you thought I might be interested in that post??

Going back to op.
I have no idea where you live Gracesgran, and maybe you dont know that many people well, but in rural areas there is the expression that "everyone knows everyone elses' business". Very true.

In rural areas gossip thrives

That may well be true, Anniebach, but communities tend to be closer-knit and yes, people do often know each others' business, because they tell you!

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/oct/11/inequality-will-continue-until-corporations-stop-avoiding-tax

An excellent article about why we need more HMRC staff to collect tax and stop inequality.

Yes Ana, but also what they choose not to tell is often assumed

Is it? How do you know?

First time I have heard anybody arguing in favour of more civil servants!

Alea your last post made me laugh, a mixture of the funny and the vaguely sinister.

X post!

Now it is the post before that one!

I live in a rural area. I have no idea who is on benefits and who isn't. I've no idea who works and who doesn't. I meet lots of people and talk to lots of people , but I do not know where they get their money from, and do not ask; neither do they tell me.

Hellooo DJ
Still wondering why you thought I might be interested in that post?

<sighs> ignoring me again

I do not know how rural your area is dj. But in some areas of rural Britain, families go back generations. And they see and ask and speak and gossip.

They also meet in groups, clubs, societies, shopping, pubs, in the street, blah blah.

There is also massive support. Your plight will be known very quickly, and help forthcoming.

I'm amazed really, and agree with soon, I thought in rural areas and villages everyone knew everyone else's business!

First time I have heard anybody arguing in favour of more civil servants!
Alea when I was a civil servant we worked our butts off (not literally, of course, as you could testify if you saw mine )
There was always the odd one or two, though, who seemed to get away with not doing much at all, how I don't know.

If you wanted it or asked for it that is.
And before anybody asks, rurally I dont know anyone in plight right now. But obviously some things are kept private.

Eloethan thank you for the explanation in your post 23.26

As a HMRC person said to us once 'it's a case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing' - referring to themselves - but expecting us to able to sort out our own!.
Not surprising when you look at how complicated it all is.

I would advise the Labour Party to keep on and on at the government about tax loopholes and tax evasion, being careful not to get confused with tax avoidance
I did read something earlier about the Opposition not holding the Government to task on quite a number of issues at the moment. They need to get their act together and quick.
It was mentioned (by a Labour MP) that Boris Johnson is providing more opposition to George Osborne than John McDonnell is at the moment. I don't know how true that is.

Sorry, above post in reply to soontobe

money.aol.co.uk/2015/10/20/why-are-13-23-billion-benefits-unclaimed-every-year/

This makes benefit fraud seem insignificant.

"But what do you think? Should we do everything we can to ensure people receive their entitlement, or will removing the stigma just encourage more 'benefit scroungers'? Let us know in the comments."

That was the final paragraph of the article in the link. What do gransnetters think?

I doubt a person who lies to claim benefits will be troubled what they are called, just concerned they will be caught