little-ginge

Once again this goes to show that the benefits system is a complete and utter farce... people like this make me so angry..

They don't exactly look like criminal masterminds do they?

They manage to get away with claiming for 16 non-existant children, after realising that they could exploit a loophole after realising they did not have to send children's birth certificates to tax officials to prove they existed.

They got away with £75,000 - £600 per week was spent on gambling, and she managed to work her way through 2 bottles of brandy a day

BBC NEWS | England | Somerset | Benefit couple faked 16 children


Then there are those who genuinally need to claim the benfits, who have to fight tooth and nail to receive a bit of help.

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

Disgusting story.

Don't get me started on abuse of the benefit system, this makes me so mad.

paulwrxboro

10 months for 75k...were do i sign

what a farse

stilover

About 13 years ago I used to work in a warehouse for a couple of years after finishing college.
Anyway half the staff were cash in hand workforce. All claiming benefits for housing, children, unemployment etc. Some were using false addresses to get other benefits etc.

The real sh*ter was they were paying these people more money per hour than their legitimate on the books workers.

The place was a sh*thole.

PeteBrant

Yeah, they won't get to keep the money. I mean they will have to pay it back - Or at least make monthly payments of a fixed amount (probably for the rest of thier lives judging by thier age)

stilover

£1.50 a week. They are on Benefits afterall.

EddScott

Good for her

Nothing like spending your days at the bottom of a bottle.

Paul3446

If you are convicted of benefit fraud, you should never be eligible for benefits again. This may at least make people think twice before doing it.

Of course, this pathetic government wouldn't dream of infringing people's human rights in such a way!

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

Oh heaven forbid infringing the human rights of those contributing nothing, and infact sponging from what should be there to help only those who need it. Pity they don't have a problem shafting those who work hard, and pay their dues.

PeteBrant

Nor would the Tories.


Problem is Paul, what do you do when they get out of prison?

I mean if you cut off thier benefits (and I can completey see why you say this) what are you doing? Freezing them to death in the Winter? Starving them to death?

Yes, it sticks in the craw to give them benefits once they get out, but I don't see what other option you have.

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

Or they could just get a job like the rest of us who don't feel the world owes us a living.

PeteBrant

Assuming they can get a job.


Would you employ a benefit swindling jailbird?

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

Don't see why not. I'd rather pay them to work and ultimately contribute, than have part of my hard earned going to 'keep' them while they sit about pleasing themselves.

PeteBrant

Yup, but unfortuantly lots of people don;t have that attitude - Once you have been inside, especially for fraud, it can be very very difficult to get a job.



Thing is, by serving thier time, these people have then paid thier dues to society, and should not be treated any different to anyone else.
So removing their benefits isn't really an option.


Doesn't stop you putting them at the head of the queue in any "community service for benefits list" though

The Zohan

Spot on!

not very left wing PC mind, next you will be canceling The Guardian, drinking lager, not real ale and getting rid of the 2cv

pwhittle

benefits fraud aside, why is anyone with 105 convictions allowed their freedom anyway?

pmacFTO

Also
"Wilshaw, who masterminded the scam, lived with Stevenson in a one-room property in the town during the period they claimed for the bogus children."

Do you not think having 16kids in a one bed flat would be a bit difficult?
And wtf credit him with the title "mastermind" - hardly....

Paul3446

I have a funny feeling that if you cut off benefits to these people, they would survive somehow. They may not enjoy it as much, having to work. But so what.

When are we going to realise we don't owe these people anything, they have defrauded the system, now they pay the price.

It would also help to lift a few deserving people out of poverty, with the money saved.

Leslie

Can't believe they don't have to show proof of the childrens' existence. Will that be the same for all the Polish workers in this country who get allowances for their children who live back in Poland?

Les

Stainy

As I say on every one of these types of threads.....Don't cut their benefits when they come out. However, do make the *******s (and all other work-shy spongers) get up for 'work' and do a minimum 8hr day.

I'm not talking about taking jobs off anyone else, I'm merely saying that paying them to laze in bed is hardly an incentive for anyone to find work.

Make them get up and even if it's only sitting in a room for 8 hours, they might then get the incentive to look for a proper job that 'only' pays a few quid more than benefits

gotmashed

They could make them clean the streets up for 8hr's aday, That would be a full time job.