just phoned benefit fraud line to report my son's friend's mum.

[foogle]

I have sat on the info for ages and didn't do anything except get angrier and angrier.

For christmas son's friend got a pony, bmx bike, x box, ipod and family ski trip.

My son got a second hand lego set as that is all we could afford this year.

Son's friend gets free school meals and all school trips paid for.

We can't afford school dinners and scrimp and save for son to go on school trips.

Son's friend's dad lives with them and works but I know she claims benefits as a single mum.

She earns £25 an hour cash in hand at a racing stables.

She gets everything paid for, including housing benefit etc.

We can't afford ponies nor lessons yet she has 2 competition horses.

I never thought I 'd do this as she's a nice person but I've had enough.

I say again, she's likely to be being paid £25 for each horse she rides, not £25 per hour. Most racing stables will only send out 2 or 3 lots each morning and I know plenty of people that will go and ride 1 horse at about 7am for cash before heading to their real job.

"ljgibbs Mon 09-Jan-12 18:07:18
£25 an hour what on earth does she do there?"

I know, this is starting to remind me of Jilly Cooper novel :o

Op.... Could you please list which benefits she claims?

Wow op, did you get all that information straight from the horse's mouth (so to speak)?

she has 2 compitition horses and earns £25 an hour

i do not beleive you not many jobs pay £25 an hour and most who work in stables work there for the love of working there not money

Also well acquainted with racing.

Are you going to tell us what her job actually is?

As no one seems to be picking up on this, I'd like to second what CaveMum said. At most yards by me £25 per horse they hack out on is about average.
Wrong ends and sticks come to mind.

Thanks Op, I expect that nice Mr Cameron will drop all our taxes now. Or maybe not.
ps can you ask at the stables if they've got any more jobs going, ta.

I hope you're right OP and how do you know these are facts? Rather than hearsay?

Our kids got a Wii for Christmas (we're not on benefits by the way) only we didn't pay for it, or nick it, it was a gift from grandparents.

If you are 100% right and these are facts, you did what you should do. But how can you be 100%? Unless she's told you this in confidence?

I hate to say it, but well done, although you do sound like your motive has been jealousy rather than a burning desire to do the right thing.

Sorry.

My best friend had a pony, her family were not rich by any stretch. The pony was going to be put down if it remained unhomed so was free, the field where it lived was a friend's unused plot, the stable made by the family from reclaimed wood, the feed probably cost little more than any other animal. So in itself, is no signifier of wealth.

Thanks Nixea, I was starting to wonder if my posts were invisible!!

Are you allowed to work cash in hand full time and claim full benefits? How long does it take between the call and the investigation?

Hmm, well if this is all true OP, then you have done the right thing.

I find jealousy and spite very unattractive characteristics.

Of course you are not allowed to work cash in hand and claim full benefits.

Isnt this why you have reported her?

I agree with that sentiment of leps actually Misty... just how it comes across.

If you don't care if you'll be outed I don't see why you won't tell us what her job is.

It takes about 6 weeks, they will investigate now and then they will go to her work, and probably have someone watch her house to see the partner go in and out. They have to get evidence from the information you provided, once they have the evidence they will call her in to see the Fraud team. They will confront her with the evidence and if she has claimed more than £2k in benefit she will go to court.

Snorting with laughter at ComposHat!! Was that a mis-paste?

I'd call the school too or send an annoymous note, that money could be spent on far better things.