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£204,000 benefit cheaters brought to justice
Date published: 07 October 2009
BENEFITS cheats conned the council out of £204,000 in the first half of this year.
A total of 14 people have been prosecuted in the same period — receiving sentences ranging from 140 hours unpaid work to a fine of £200 plus £486 costs.
And one person was given a curfew between 7.30pm and 7am. Another 46 people received a fixed penalty equal to 30 per cent of the amount of housing or council tax benefit they over claimed.
Councillor Lynne Thompson, cabinet member for finance and resources said: “Benefit fraud is a serious issue that the council is committed to dealing with. For many people housing benefit and council tax benefit provides vital support that enables them to live their lives.
“However for a selfish and criminal few it is a way to try and make easy money at the expense of everyone else. We owe it to honest people not to tolerate it.” She said that the council aimed to deal with genuine benefit claims as quickly as possible.
New claimants and those receiving benefits need to report changes in circumstances immediately by calling 0161-770 6633 or e-mailing benefits@oldham.gov.uk
Comments
You can bet there wasn't any elected representatives caught, after all when they defraud the taxpayers it seems that they're immune from prosecution! Even blatently claiming for mortgages which don't exist isn't a crime!
Another example of one law for us and a another one for them.
And are they paying it all back? Why not name them? They do with every other criminal. They should be banned from claiming benfits ever again.....but they are probably back on them already!
Yes I agree name them. I want to know who has been stealing courtesy of my taxes and National Insurance. If they robbed my house they would be named so come on....name the thieves.
Listen people we don't want David Cameron in, he only cares about his toffs & himself, Don't vote liberal democrats they are a wasted vote, keep Labour in!! i know they made a few mistakes & so did the tories remember the poll tax? keep Labour in at least they care about the working class. It's between Labour & Conservative don't waste your vote on Liberal Democrats, I don't trust that Cameron with a barge pole.
Have Your Say
Its a shame we can't name and shame, but it will prob be against there human rights.
By Keith @ 07/10/2009 14:04:34