5 years hard labour ?

[AndyN01]

Which area do you think is stripped of staff when there's a backlog in front line claim processing and/or austerity policies.....

 

[FROSTYBALLS]

40 minutes ago, Bper said:

It does beg a question why has there not been a complete clampdown on benefit fraud years ago. Of course they catch a good few but there are many that have been doing it for decades and are still getting away with it.😠

Partly because the DWP computer systems were old and creaking. Back around 2012, the Department had to advertise for programmers competent in near obsolete languages in order to update the systems. Lack of investment by central government over years.

And as always, only the 'big wins' get publicised ...

It seems that virtually everyone knows someone who is commiting fraud, but what do they do about it.

[Cyker]

9 hours ago, AndyN01 said:

I don't understand the opposition to viewing bank accounts.

If your finances are been supported by the tax payer via benefits and you're being truthful about what you're saying on your claim(s) and following the rules about what needs to be declared then what's the problem? It's tax payers money.

If you're not claiming then absolutely no way should DWP be looking into your accounts but why would they? The only remotely legitimate way for a search to begin would be a live benefit claim in payment.

Similarly, I have no issues with every business that has Government contracts being audited by HMRC to see that tax payer's money is/has been used correctly. Indeed, I'd say a recent, full and "clean" HMRC inspection is a prior requisite for bidding for any Government contract (along with being in existence for, say, 10 years to show experience and expertise in the area of work).

Again, it's tax payer's money and surely it's reasonable for it to be paid and seen to be paid "correctly" for whatever work was contracted not a blank cheque cash cow to be milked?

Because they are not trustworthy - I would oppose any power that would let them arbitrarily look into any private thing like that without requiring e.g. a court order first.

They've proved again and again that if you give them unconditional powers they will abuse them - The whole Post Office scandal was a result of powers that gave them the ability to bypass the courts. If they'd been forced to go through the checks and balances everyone else does it would never have gotten as bad as it did but because they could just ignore processes that would have flagged up something was wrong, and they exercised those powers purely because "going through normal channels would take too long".

The checks and balances in place are to protect us from from corrupt government and any attempt to dismantle or bypass them should serve as a canary/warning!

[Cyker]

6 hours ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

Partly because the DWP computer systems were old and creaking. Back around 2012, the Department had to advertise for programmers competent in near obsolete languages in order to update the systems. Lack of investment by central government over years.

And as always, only the 'big wins' get publicised ...

It seems that virtually everyone knows someone who is commiting fraud, but what do they do about it.

This another stupidly asinine problem - They won't fix it because "It will cost too much" but meanwhile they are losing smeg-knows how much money every moment. With thinking like that it makes you wonder how these people figure out how to put their clothes on in the morning!

It's like the car tax thing - They abolished the tax disc to save themselves money on printing and sending them out, and then were confused why they ended up losing more money than they saved  

 

[Haliotis]

5 minutes ago, Cyker said:

Because they are not trustworthy - I would oppose any power that would let them arbitrarily look into any private thing like that without requiring e.g. a court order first.

They've proved again and again that if you give them unconditional powers they will abuse them - The whole Post Office scandal was a result of powers that gave them the ability to bypass the courts. If they'd been forced to go through the checks and balances everyone else does it would never have gotten as bad as it did but because they could just ignore processes that would have flagged up something was wrong, and they exercised those powers purely because "going through normal channels would take too long".

The checks and balances in place are to protect us from from corrupt government and any attempt to dismantle or bypass them should serve as a canary/warning!

I absolutely agree with this view.  Once the DWP decide that a person’s bank account needs examination, then at that point the matter should have to be ratified by a very competent body - the suggested court order requirement is a good example.  It should also be mandatory that, in the event of action due to false information, rectification plus financial compensation should be awarded, comparable to HMRC fines when recovering unpaid income tax.   This would go a long way in ensuring that DWP got its facts right before taking action.

[Bper]

Are we talking about long term claiments or short term. Both have the ability to commit fraud.?🤨

[FROSTYBALLS]

DWP have specialist fraud teams to conduct investigations into suspected fraud - and have had for years. It wouldn't be front line staff who would access bank accounts, etc, for investigations. Interviews can also be done under caution.

Fraud is fraud, whether it is a short or long term claimant.

[Primus1]

8 hours ago, Bper said:

It does beg a question why has there not been a complete clampdown on benefit fraud years ago. Of course they catch a good few but there are many that have been doing it for decades and are still getting away with it.😠

It’s a pity there’s not such eagerness to clampdown on non doms, but then, the media want us to focus on benefit fraud, it keeps their pals under the radar..

[Bper]

22 minutes ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

DWP have specialist fraud teams to conduct investigations into suspected fraud - and have had for years. It wouldn't be front line staff who would access bank accounts, etc, for investigations. Interviews can also be done under caution.

Fraud is fraud, whether it is a short or long term claimant.

True but what has changed over the decades,it seems to crop up in the news every now and again but has there been any real change to stopping benefit fraud ?

[Bper]

Just now, Bper said:

True but what has changed over the decades,it seems to crop up in the news every now and again but has there been any real change to stopping benefit fraud ?

 

13 minutes ago, Primus1 said:

It’s a pity there’s not such eagerness to clampdown on non doms, but then, the media want us to focus on benefit fraud, it keeps their pals under the radar..

Non doms also bring wealth into the country.

[Primus1]

11 minutes ago, Bper said:

 

Non doms also bring wealth into the country.

In what way..?

[Bper]

10 minutes ago, Primus1 said:

In what way..?

Many buy high value homes, especially in London, which boosts the property market and generates taxes like stamp duty. They spend heavily on luxury goods, services, education, and healthcare, supporting local businesses and creating jobs. Some start or invest in UK businesses, creating jobs and driving economic growth, especially in sectors like finance and tech. Non-doms still pay taxes on UK income and assets, and some pay an annual charge to maintain their non-dom status after several years. Many also donate to UK charities, the arts, and education, benefiting public institutions. Overall, non-doms stimulate the UK economy through investment and spending, contributing a considerable amount of money to the country.👍
 

[AndyN01]

I've always been fascinated by the term "investment."

It seems, to me, to mean I give you some money in the hope that you put in lots of effort and expertise and do lots of work so I get stacks more money back by doing nothing except giving you the money in the first place.

What am I missing?

 

 

[Primus1]

4 hours ago, AndyN01 said:

I've always been fascinated by the term "investment."

It seems, to me, to mean I give you some money in the hope that you put in lots of effort and expertise and do lots of work so I get stacks more money back by doing nothing except giving you the money in the first place.

What am I missing?

 

 

Nothing, that’s how the rich get richer..

[Bper]

5 hours ago, AndyN01 said:

I've always been fascinated by the term "investment."

It seems, to me, to mean I give you some money in the hope that you put in lots of effort and expertise and do lots of work so I get stacks more money back by doing nothing except giving you the money in the first place.

What am I missing?

 

 

The system was designed for the rich to get richer on the hard work of the poor. Perfect system in their eyes and it has proved extremely effective.☹️

[Haliotis]

Perhaps we should all go back to the barter system, and invest our savings in livestock.  That would be a nightmare for the taxman and the money barons alike.

[Rhymes with Paris]

53 minutes ago, Haliotis said:

Perhaps we should all go back to the barter system, and invest our savings in livestock.  That would be a nightmare for the taxman and the money barons alike.

It indeed would Albert.

How many of my prize goats 🐐 would I need for a deposit on a new Yaris?😉

[Haliotis]

7 hours ago, Rhymes with Paris said:

It indeed would Albert.

How many of my prize goats 🐐 would I need for a deposit on a new Yaris?😉

You’d have to first convince the salesman that you weren’t kidding! 😁

[Eddie G]

A Monty Python Life Of Brian negotiation Haggie may be required in future 😆

[Primus1]

8 hours ago, Haliotis said:

Perhaps we should all go back to the barter system, and invest our savings in livestock.  That would be a nightmare for the taxman and the money barons alike.

We could trade things for sheep, mind you, the taxman would still find ways to fleece us

[Cyker]

Ewe would really have to Ram such a deal down their throats or they might call the police and then you'd have to go on the Lamb...

[Bper]

23 minutes ago, Cyker said:

Ewe would really have to Ram such a deal down their throats or they might call the police and then you'd have to go on the Lamb...

Anymore of this and you will be "bared"😂

[dannyboy413]

And stop trying to pull the wool over our eyes! 😄

[Bper]

44 minutes ago, dannyboy413 said:

And stop trying to pull the wool over our eyes! 😄

You will get the chop if you carry on😂

[Rhymes with Paris]

1 hour ago, Cyker said:

Ewe would really have to Ram such a deal down their throats or they might call the police and then you'd have to go on the Lamb...

If that happened, the only option would to make a clean breast of it, and confess.