To think this “crackdown” on benefit fraud is absolutely pathetic

It’s all to stop us looking into and questioning how much of our money the government wastes/ creams off the top for themselves and their buddies.
If we’re all pointing fingers at each other we’re not pointing fingers up at them.

Yes

“They hang the man and flog the woman that steals the goose from off the common / but let the greater villain loose that steals the common from the goose”

Seems appropriate for a party that began government by quoting Henry VIII laws and who have always wet themselves over the amazingly wonderful Victorian period.

If it's wrong, it's wrong, whether it's benefits or big business. Whilst I think the penalties should be harsher for big business, I don't agree that it should be ignored because someone is on a lower income.

Inheirtance tax can be reduced with planning.

I work in tax and there’s loads more done now in tackling tax fraud than there ever was (have worked in tax for over 25 years), loads more is done now in closing down legal loopholes than there ever was. I say this as someone who hates the tories and what they’ve done but I don’t think their tackling of tax evasion/avoidance is something they’ve done badly at compared to how others did previously/ could potentially do if they were in power.

WTF???

So you're not paying tax? Did I read that right?

Absolutely this ^

The checks would only be on SAVINGS and I would think that most people on benefits (or not) would be hard-pressed to have savings of more than £16k.

The hoops people have to jump through already to get benefits are ludicrous now. Yeah - great!! Let's make it even harder for them to claim. I work with sick/disabled people on a dialysis unit and not everyone sits in a wheelchair, but that doesn't mean that they're able to work. For a myriad of reasons.

Life is complicated for some people.

I can't quite get over the number of Tory apologists on this thread.

Yes - the OP is right - with bells on.

It’s not a matter of either/or. They should be cracking down on both.

How can you not understand?

Benefit claimants are being targeted for political reasons, when in fact, it's a tiny proportion of monetary loss to the treasury.

The time spent on policy and the ramifications of implementing any policy is entirely disproportionate to it's impact on monies available to the treasury.

Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, to show everyone you've got a sledgehammer.

It's typical rhetoric of the right-wing. Give a high profile to any perceived lack of fairness in spending money on the poor, whilst entirely ignoring actual unfairness and inequality that, if solved, would improve the lives of the many.

District and divide. Privatise profits, socialise debts.

It's the Tory way.

The benefits system is broken. I should be entitled to pip because of my disability but i cannot face the application process and being turned down only to have to appeal.

I think sometimes high taxes in rich are home goals
people avoid it as when you start taking over 1/2 of it in tax on the face of it does seem extortionate

personally IHT I would of encountered the 40% would of quite happily of paid a normal rate of tax 20% but sorted now so will pay nothing

Meh, Tories are chasing votes. Expect an awful lot more of this no-brainer, low hanging fruit, right-wingish shit.
Symptom of desperation!

Tbf the levels of benefit fraud shot up during the pandemic when the usual (and perfectly adequate when properly implemented) checks on ID etc were suspended and claims went entirely online. But the answer to that is to implement the existing system of checking details and income properly, not to add an extra layer of intrusion and worry into the lives of every single benefit claimant!

And even if the fraud rate did go up, it was still hugely overshadowed by the level of corruption and financial dodgy dealings and basically fraudulent spaffing of public money that this government engaged in throughout the pandemic and beyond though...

I think the government should do this for all bank accounts. You’d catch lots of tax evasion. Those who rent out a second home on the quiet etc. Especially in an increasingly cash-free society.

Where is your chart from please, OP? I'd like to share it but need a source.

And honestly if it were me I wouldn’t care if they were checking because I wouldn’t be committing fraud.

I think you have to see it in the context of the extent of worklessness and a looming social care bill. Our current spending is unsustainable. Of course people need to cough up what they owe and of course the government have fucked up but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be making sure people aren’t claiming what they are not entitled to. Both should be done. I don’t see the problem with that.

Tax avoidance isn't illegal. Tax avoidance mechanisms are in place to encourage certain behaviours. Anyone with an ISA practices tax avoidance, for example. So companies practising tax avoidance are operating within the law.

Tax evasion is illegal and any company doing it is hiding it. Nobody thinks it's ok, but they're hiding it. Just like the tradesman who asks you to 'pay in cash' so that they can evade taxes. It's not ok but it's difficult to address.

And none of this makes it ok to claim benefits fraudulently.

Absolutely @Loubelle70 They have the cheek to point the figure at "benefit cheats" when the Tory party have had the absolute worst record cheating, swindling, and breaking rules during their time in power. Pot Kettle Black.

@greyhairnomore
The government have worked hard to push onto people the rhetoric that 'you pay for benefit fraud ' ...its divide and conquer. Never mind how many in government are as crooked as they come.
Hate this rhetoric of Rat on a neighbour if you will. Putting people against people. Usually working class against working class.
I earn a good wage, i don't claim benefits...however, some people are struggling, this government and other governments will have you believe everyone is at it... neighbours have become curtain twitching watsons.. guessing who could be 'conning' the system...when really they should be looking at the very people who push the idea that that could be happening.

This is fine
https://news.sky.com/story/21bn-of-taxpayer-money-lost-in-fraud-by-government-since-pandemic-began-says-spending-watchdog-12845271

Can't imagine why Sunak wants to distract people from the money wasted by this government during COVID

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56319927

Bashing benefits claimants yet again is such a bullshit move.

Bang on!!!!