DWP statistics: "For 2011/12 (preliminary), it is estimated that 2.0 per cent of total benefit expenditure was overpaid due to fraud and error. This is down from the 2010/11 level of 2.1 per cent. "
http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd2/index.php?page=fraud_error
snip
To suggest that half a million people are making fraudulent claims is preposterous.
Fun with statistics.
The above figure is that which they can prove, I know people who are fudging the system, but as far as "the system" knows are genuine.
Whilst none of use can prove how high fruad is, do you really believe it's only 2%?
Ultimately the people who try and screw the system are responsible for the government clampdowns, it doesnt matter which party is in charge, the only result you will ever get is to ignore the issue or to go in with size 12s
The 500k figure is those estimate "fit to work" currently signed of as unfit.
During pilot projects in Burnley and Aberdeen, 30% of existing claimants were found fit to work immediately. A further 39% were found to be fit to work with extra help. The remaining 31% were found to be unable to work, and will carry on getting unconditional support.
Sure there may be some margin for error there, but 30% found fit to work in error, nah, clearly a lot of those 30% played the "ohh me back" card.
There were only 700,000 Incapacity Benefit claimants in 1979 but a whopping two and a half million today.
The population increased by 10%, and those on benifits by +200%.
Hmmm.....
So how much are you getting paid for that then? I bet it's a lot more than £8K a year.
Sorry, but why does that matter.
Are you saying those people on low wage are then not obliged to fulfil their agreed obligations with their employer?
You get paid to look for a job, so you spend your time looking for a job, seems reasonable.
you don't lose any time, if you had a job you spend the time working instead of looking for it.
Fair comment, but I suspect the reality will be rather different. Universal Jobmatch, along with Universal Credit, are both part of the Goverment's plan to completely digitise the welfare system over the next 2 - 3 years. If it's successful I predict that, within 2 years of its initiation, Job Centres will become redundant. Thousands of experienced front-line staff will lose their jobs to be replaced, at best, by a receptionist, a security guard and a bank of computers, at worst, nothing at all; the Human element to the welfare system will be all but eliminated, and the only Human contact any claimant will have will be with underpaid, inexperienced staff manning a remote call-centre; and millions of people will be forced to rely for their Benefits on the smooth running of a vast, complex, Government IT system - a class of entity not noted for its reliability or robustness.
So you are against the changes, because A might lead to Z.
It might, but something has to change about the current admin set-up, money spent on admin, is money not spent on welfare.