People urged to shop benefit frauds

STAMPING out benefit fraud is more important than getting rid of litter, graffiti or even tax evasion, to more than 90% of people.

New research reveals that more than nine out of ten people rated stopping benefit cheats as extremely important, while two thirds believe abusing the welfare system is no different to stealing.

Fraudulent claims for state benefits cost the UK around £2bn a year, according to the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), which today launches the next stage of its Targeting Benefit Fraud campaign, aimed at reducing fraud.

It has released a series of advertisements to 'warn' people against attempting to claim benefits if they are not entitled to them, and also as an alert to those already committing fraud, with the slogan 'We're on to you'.

Chris Pond, the anti-fraud minister, said: 'Our research bears out that the public are fed up with cheats who steal money from the taxpayer that should go to people in genuine need of help.'

Although it has more than an echo of Big Brother, the Government points to the fact that by people notifying them of cases of people claiming benefit they are not entitled to they can cut costs and ensure money goes where it is needed more – for example, to hospitals, schools and other public services.

'That's why the Government is cracking down on benefit fraud and getting good results. And the public has supported our campaign by contacting us if they suspect someone they know of committing fraud,' added Pond.

Last year more than 32,000 prosecutions and sanctions were issued by the DWP to benefit cheats. It is working to reduce cases of fraud and error by 50%, by March 2006.

The National Benefit Fraud Hotline is on 0800 854440.