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

(243 Posts)
Gracesgran Thu 15-Oct-15 19:14:57

Apparently, from comments we see here and in some of the media, we all know these families. Do you? Could you prove it? How do you find out so much about their income etc? How do you know they have never, ever worked.

I heard a politician on the radio describing a constituent he met when he was door knocking during the election. He was told he should sort out the women on the corner. She didn't work but all her kids wore designer clothes. They always have new stuff. They were taking the benefit system for a ride. He needed to sort out that "sort of thing".

The house on the corner was in his constituency so he called. The "women on the corner" turned out to be running a very successful online business from home. They discussed how his party could aid this sort of business.

So, how could a neighbour or even a friend know all the details? Perhaps you do. How did you find out? How do you know it is accurate? When did you report them? What was the outcome.

We are told that so many people abuse the system. How have you dealt with this knowledge and the law that surrounds it?

soontobe Sun 18-Oct-15 15:20:34

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

soontobe Sun 18-Oct-15 15:18:31

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

soontobe Sun 18-Oct-15 15:15:22

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.

Alea Sun 18-Oct-15 14:56:52

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

<sighs> ignoring me again

durhamjen Sun 18-Oct-15 14:47:14

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.

rosesarered Sun 18-Oct-15 14:47:06

Now it is the post before that one!

rosesarered Sun 18-Oct-15 14:46:39

X post!

rosesarered Sun 18-Oct-15 14:46:20

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

Alea Sun 18-Oct-15 14:45:50

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

Ana Sun 18-Oct-15 14:44:45

Is it? How do you know?

Anniebach Sun 18-Oct-15 14:42:28

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

durhamjen Sun 18-Oct-15 14:41:57

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.

Ana Sun 18-Oct-15 14:18:34

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!

Anniebach Sun 18-Oct-15 14:09:48

In rural areas gossip thrives

soontobe Sun 18-Oct-15 13:47:06

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.

Alea Sun 18-Oct-15 12:52:35

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

durhamjen Sun 18-Oct-15 12:30:44

falseeconomy.org.uk/tax/hmrc

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

Alea Sun 18-Oct-15 12:15:04

Half past midnight is still pretty much like late into the night to me, I think of early morning starting around some unspecified time before dawn
However, I was trying to be charitable (clearly wasted) in suggesting DJ was still up rather than "up early".

Nonnie Sun 18-Oct-15 12:09:40

Actually it was early morning Alea! Me pedantic, never grin

Alea Sun 18-Oct-15 11:58:49

Possible late night confusion DJ?

Alea Sun 18-Oct-15 10:55:59

Sorry I mean *Anya but I am sure Alea will be interested^
00.33
Whatever makes you think that, DJ?

I don't think I have taken much interest in this thread, other than to say at the outset that I thought it was contentious and bound to foment discord rather than promote discussion.
(Oh and I was sarky about Tony Blair being "tangoed")

soontobe Sun 18-Oct-15 10:45:18

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.

This is an area where many on the right of politics agree with those on the left.

The subject needs to be tackled strongly in order to help the entire country.
And it wouldnt harm the Labour Party in the slightest. In fact they would be clapped and cheered by most of the electorate of Britain.

Nonnie Sun 18-Oct-15 10:15:24

Thanks rose for the clarification, I suspect I am not alone in getting them confused

DJ sorry you are having cognitive issues. I wrote it because I wanted an answer to how to deal with it. Does that make it clearer? I should have put 'awful people' in quotes, I admit my mistake how about you?

DJ I think you will find that you are particularly fortunate that HMRC answer the phone to you (unless of course you have plenty of time to sit and wait) and that they are polite. My experience is that they do not like to be told (politely) that they have got it wrong! They assumed that because I am retired I can't work it out. My answer was "because I have my P60s and a calculator".

I believe that if they got it right the first time more often they would have more time to answer the phone! Efficiency is the key to many things not just throwing more money at it. Our experience on NHS admin leads to the same conclusion.

Were you having trouble sleeping last night?

durhamjen Sun 18-Oct-15 00:51:34

"I posted this yesterday but have not had a response

Nellie how do you think we should deal with tax evasion? What process should we use?

I am posting it again and would be grateful to anyone who can give me an answer? The subject of all these awful people comes up time after time but no one will tell me how to stop them. So many other 'crimes' can be dealt with so I would like to know how to deal with this please."

Nonnie, why did you write this, then later say that tax evasion is legal?
Are they awful people or are they not?

More people working at HMRC will give them more time to answer the phone to you. When I have had the need to speak to someone at HMRC, they are invariably polite.

durhamjen Sun 18-Oct-15 00:37:54

There are 460 mentions of HMRC on www.taxresearch.org.uk
This is just one of them, Nonnie.

www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2015/09/22/hmrc-is-wide-open-to-abuse-because-of-a-lack-of-staff/