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

Hmm - and I wonder how much the investigation of the 85% of incorrect accusations of benefit fraud costs the taxpayer. I'd like to see that figure offset against the £180m before the DWP talks about 'savings'.

I'm sat here with my coat on waiting to go out but I can't until the dishwasher finishes its cycle. Never use an 'echo' setting, it takes forever.

Apropos to nothing

Take your pick.

Hardly worth worrying about in the scale of things.

Hardly worth even mentioning.

Hardly worth people getting hot under the collar about.

Hardly worth going after those who deliberately make fraudulent claims .....I get the impression you dismiss this as pin money!

What is hardly worth the effort?

Didn't you just post the following

"Information from the public about suspected benefit fraud saved the taxpayer around £180m last year"

What part of 'saved the tax payer around £180m' am I not getting DJ

What do you mean, Anya?

"Government statistics show fraudulent claims accounted for 0.7% – or £1.2bn – of total benefit expenditure in the financial year 2012-2013. An estimated £1.6bn was underpaid to claimants by the DWP. In the same year a further 0.9% of total benefit expenditure was overpaid following claimant errors, which occur when claimants fail to report changes in their circumstances or the information provided is incomplete or inaccurate but there is no fraudulent intent."

An ipsos mori poll showed that the public believe that 24% of benefits are claimed fraudulently.
That's why there should be a proper debate in parliament about it.

Only a piddling £180 million. Hardly worth the effort

There needs to be a proper debate about it in parliament, kate.
There are so many people who still believe the scare stories about benefit fraud, it needs to be aired.
I love the DWP response.

The response to the freedom of information request from the DWP states: “It should be noted that members of the public, as they are not trained to detect benefit fraud, are not always correct in their identification.” A spokesperson added: “Information from the public about suspected benefit fraud saved the taxpayer around £180m last year. Calls to the fraud hotline are vital – we take benefit fraud very seriously, so whenever we receive an allegation we investigate and, if necessary, prosecute and recover overpaid benefits.”

85% are not correct!
DWP underpays more than the amount fraudulently claimed.
It's DWP fraud. Iain Duncan Smith needs to be held to account for the hash he has made of that department.

I was about to put the same link on, durhamjen. Unfortunately, most of the media will ignore this report as facts like these don't sell newspapers.

www.theguardian.com/society/2016/feb/27/false-benefit-fraud-allegations

Interesting figures on benefit fraud.

I know of someone whose "benefits" are paltry and whose mental health issues are long-standing and crippling. I know that she does one small cleaning job for which she is paid in cash. Her earnings are so tiny that she wouldn't have to pay tax but, strictly speaking, she is a benefit fraudster. The amount is so small that the cost of administration to recoup the few pounds or prosecution would far outweigh the purpose of doing so. Having a little job gives structure to her week and some sense of dignity. I have no intention – and never have had – of reporting her to authorities.

I also know of someone who has defrauded the system of as much benefit as possible for many years. (The source of this information was completely reliable.) Unfortunately, I do not know the surname or address and it is probably far too late and vague for me to do anything to rectify the situation. However, I do still resent the fraud.

I am not saying that benefit fraud is right, granjura. I think it is wrong to pursue benefit fraudsters yet at the same time not ensure that those who can claim do not. It seems an imbalance to me, when £13 billion+ is unclaimed, but benefit fraud is only £1.2 billion. Ageuk says that £3.7 billion is unclaimed by the elderly.
It would be interesting to know how much is spent on tracking benefit fraud by the DWP, but at the same time, they are cutting back on HMRC so tax evasion and fraud are still rampant, as you say.

It's the tax credit problem all over again. Taking money away from those who can do nothing about it, and not bothering about the rich.

I have huge respect for you DJ,

This makes benefit fraud seem insignificant.

but here I disagree. It is clear in my mind that tax evasion and fraud is much worse- but 2 wrongs never make a right. Out of respect for those who truly deserve help and support- we should have zero tolerance for benefit fraud.

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

"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?

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

This makes benefit fraud seem insignificant.

Sorry, above post in reply to soontobe

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.

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.

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.

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.