Should there now be an inquiry?

[anotheoldgit]

http://tinyurl.com/6hdkq5f

Once more we see vast amounts of our money fraudulently claimed for and then sent abroad, by gangs of Eastern Europeans.

Thankfully these latest criminals have got their just deserves.

But it should not stop there, an inquiry should now take place to try and discover how these gangs got away with falsely claiming benefits, and if some civil servants are proven to be lacking in their ability to recognise bogus benefit claimants, then these should also be jailed.

[sandyRoe]

Cuts in the budget of the DHSS mean they can't be as vigilant as they should be. I suppose it's down to the government for putting temptation in their way.

[Gromit]

The Coalition axed 10,000 Benefit Agency Jobs last year, and have just announced 2,400 more for this year. At a time when those claiming benefits is rising, not falling.

And the DWP IT system to catch benefits cheats was shelved after it never worked - cost £140 million.

Possibly both of those reasons might have more bearing on why cheats get away with it instead of threatening to jail staff.

[anotheoldgit]

Even so Gromit, some persons must have been diligent in granting these bogus claims, and it is these who should be investigated.

The plea of shortage of staff is just not a good enough excuse.

[jackthehat]

There needs to be a grass-roots overhaul of the entire benefits system.
It is too piecemeal and unwieldy and the pressure on a reduced staff to process the claims in 'reasonable' time makes life ever more difficult for the them.

[New Judge]

I don't know what all the fuss is about.

Surely this is but a small price to pay when compared to the enormous cultural and financial benefits that have been bestowed upon the UK as a result of the EU's eastward expansion. The miniscule amount that this motley crew has embezzled is but a drop in the ocean compared to the squillions of quids that have come to the UK in trade and other benefits as a result of Romania’s accession to the EU four years ago.

Not enough benefits for you? Don’t worry! Next to join the club is Croatia. Waiting in the wings are Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Iceland and Serbia. No doubt there are people in those nations now, even as I write, planning how they can share their wealth and culture with us!

[anotheoldgit]

You forgot Turkey Judge.

When they join us I wonder if one of the advantages you speak of, will be a drop in the price of 'Turkish Delight'?

[New Judge]

Turkey is not yet on the official waiting list AOG, due to one or two minor, er.. difficulties that might ensue that have still to be ironed out (i.e. “fudged) before they are accepted as candidates.

Yes, there are huge amounts of fraud perpetrated by home-grown Brits, redhelen. More than enough, in fact, for the authorities to be going on with. To open up our borders to even more people who might be disposed to rip us off at the first opportunity (with no concomitant benefits for the UK) is utter lunacy.