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

Surely rosequartz you don't rely or anyone for information or we, whoever we are

I find it strange that some people know all about the finances of whole groups of people. I never ask, and never want to know.

But I thought you knew quite a lot about tax dodgers, politicians' expenses etc etc djen.

We rely on you for some of our information.

Ana
Well, I was sure that someone would know his name, he is quite well-known, but his name just escaped my memory (as so many things do these days).

But we all get forgetful as we get older I suppose

I find it strange that none of the left-wing posters on this thread seem to know anything about Ian Bone!

Thank you JamJar1

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/we-predict-a-riot-meet-the-anarchists-plotting-to-overthrow-capitalism-1654111.html
that's him!

I found it extremely funny that he went for a pint in that chain Wetherspoons!! I don't know why, don't ask me, it just seems, well, so ordinary!!

I find it strange that some people know all about the finances of whole groups of people. I never ask, and never want to know.

Hi rosequartz I wonder if you mean the man mentioned at the beginning of this article, in the Daily Mail. (I also read The Guardian online.)
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3258234/Truth-rabble-bringing-fear-streets.html

rosequartz I don't know who you mean.

I have no idea rosequartz sorry, I don't read what anarchists say

It's not my experience of the Indians I know either; perhaps they were a different caste, I don't know.

I asked on another thread if anyone could remember the name of the man who orchestrates left-wing demonstrations who is intent on anarchy - he is well-educated, has a degree but has never had any intention of working apparently, allegedly.
I don't know if he claims benefits because he says he is ill, disabled or whatever - but if he does he is demonstrating that he is fit and able to work, with good organisational skills and ability, by the work he does encouraging people to demonstrate.
If this is true he is setting a very bad example to others.

I did think there could be some posters who would know his name, but no-one has remembered him so far

Also, with regard to the few who fraudulently claim benefits, we do know that others fraudulently avoid tax but two wrongs don't make a right. Perhaps someone could start another thread about that (or have they already?)

Dottygran, you do say - numerous . Strange because people who come here from India are known for setting up businesses , and their children are certainly topping the class in education

Hi, dottygran.

What your has observed is not illegal, though, is it? It is not benefit fraud. Claiming ESA does not mean you cannot accept gifts from others. My understanding is that there is a means-tested element to ESA, which kicks in after a few thousand pounds of savings. If the claimant becomes richer by many thousands, they need to declare this and the ESA will be adjusted. If the money does not belong to the claimant, but it sitting there for other people, then this is clearly risky to the claimant....and they could be prosecuted if they were unable to show it did not belong to them.

It seems a crazy risk to run.

@ dottygran

That is the way that sub continent families keep their money.

Second cousins marry within the caste/family, and if they are lucky some get jobs abroad, but still the money goes to the family at home to build a house/ shop, and so it goes on.

Its a culture difference

I live in a "working class" area in a fairly ordinary road. Of the very many people I know, are acquainted with or who are friends of mine, there are only three on benefit. One is the daughter of a friend of mine. She has a mild learning disability and a personality disorder. Another friend's daughter has aspergers and other serious mental health issues, and lives in supported accommodation. The other person on benefits that I know has worked all her life but would find it difficult to get a job now, in her early 60's - although it's true she doesn't seem too concerned to do so. However, she lives in a very basic rented flat, certainly has no flat screen TV, car or posh clothes and generally lives a very frugal life.

I don't know anyone else on unemployment benefit. During his working life, my dad had several breaks in employment due to severe depression and several nervous breakdowns. It came to my mum's attention that a woman living nearby had been telling people that it was always my mum who drove because dad had been banned for drink driving. He'd never held a driving licence and didn't have a drink problem. My mum soon put her straight. Some people can be very spiteful. I'm sure they wouldn't want to swap places with someone suffering from chronic severe depression - it is a hellish life.

I'm new to the site so would just like to say a big hello.

GrandmaKT is probably correct in what she says. My daughter is a mental health worker and works with many Asian families in the community. It is a fact that some Asian families bring prospective spouses over to this country who in fact will never work. She sees it over and over again.

She has helped on numerous occasions to fill out forms and noticed frequently that the intended suddenly has a sizeable bank balance. This person will be her patient and on ESA so therefore has been helped, by her, to claim ESA so therefore knows no money was there initially. The families are always incredibly cagey about where the money has come from but my daughter suspects the whole extended family are pooling their money into the intendeds bank account. She has explained to them that the DWP have powers to look at their finances but this seems not to deter them. Doesn't look like the DWP are bothering to use those powers. This is just one example.

Let me end by saying I am in no way shape or form generalizing about the Asian community.

Not superior knowledge Anya, just fact , families on basic benefits are poor, some families boost their income by working cash in hand , drug dealing, buying and selling s/h goods, some prostitution , these are the one's who drive a 4 x 4 , not by having baby after baby . These are a small minority but then only a very small number own a 4 x 4 . My little knowledge of this comes from working with charities who help the poor in our society

I'll bow to your superior knowledge of the world of benefit fraud and shady dealings Anniabach

So often people who boast about a comfy lifestyle on benefits do so because they know some want to believe it's true and so this covers up the fact they are into shady dealings

Benefit fraud only £1.2 bn PA hardly worth bothering about is it?

The poor are entitled to milk the system just as much as the rich.

I've posted here before of my experience of a family who openly boasted of working (!!!) the system. I was working in Care in the Community, and this family were the grandson and his wife of my client. Their method was to be out of work and have a new baby as often as they could, collecting the appropriate benefits as and when. I was slightly envious of their People Carrier vehicle, their four bedroom, free house, and benefit covered bills. Another family, in work, with two teenagers, and looking after their elderly mother in their home were sadly struggling financially with the minimum of government help.

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

Nonnie In the interests of a balanced discussion based on facts rather than media spin I have raised the issue again.

I have raised it, yet again, because yet again, we are hearing so many more adverse comments about benefit fraud than we do about tax evasion which is a much more serious problem for the government coffers.
It seems that people keep forgetting this important fact.

However it seem that for the media, benefit fraud is the issue that they rant about not the tax evasion issue.

It's the blame the poor yet again, but don't mention the greedy bankers who crashed the global economy in 2008.

GrandmaKT, I think your DIL must have misunderstood the young family's situation.

As I read down the thread I waited for the tax evasion v benefit fraud to come up again and it did. I don't understand the point of the comparison. If I bruise my husband it is still as wrong as if I break his leg! Both things are wrong so if we are going to compare them why not list all the things people do which are wrong? Not personal Nellie it just keeps coming up.

How can anyone know the extent of tax evasion or of benefit fraud? They can only be a guess as many are getting away with it without anyone knowing. Why isn't this obvious?

Yes, I do know someone who claims for something they shouldn't and uses the system. I know more than one and I am not living in a deprived area. You can take my word for it that it is accurate.