harry hayes Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Just wonder how much benefit fraud costs the country? Every day the national papers have stories of the costliest ones and the well organised scams, and papers like the guardian report some of the smaller ones. My feeling is that these cases are the tip of a very costly ice-berg, much larger than often estimated.Play by the rules and it seems claimants are often thwarted or obstructed, while the rest of us accept cuts and taxes to pay for the sins of others. Don,t know the answer, but again, too often the punishment doesn't fit the crime or act as a deterrent to others. Happy days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fugtifino Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 A quick Google, rather than an exhaustive study, puts the figure at around £1.5bn: http://blogs.channel4.com/factcheck/how-much-does-benefit-fraud-cost/3423 Interesting to compare this with tax evasion: http://citywire.co.uk/money/tax-evasion-costs-treasury-15-times-more-than-benefit-fraud/a378274 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevofaz25 Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Tax evasion, tax avoidance or benefit cheats- all the same thing from my standpoint. Benefit cheats seem only to include the amounts deceived from Benefits payouts but overlook all the "paspoported" benefits that come for free with them. A classic case is the guy who gets £100 per week plus his Housing Benefit of £90 per week. He would only look at a job paying at least £200 per week so he could pay his rent in full. Will he do it?? don't think so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 So which should be the priority? Recoup £1billion or £15billion? :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 15 billion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fugtifino Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Astounding: Goldman Sachs let off paying £10m interest on failed tax avoidance scheme http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/oct/11/goldman-sachs-interest-tax-avoidance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wahl Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 The biggest fraudster is the DWP who just dole money out without any checking or validation. That is why there is such a huge loss as the money given out without checking is never recovered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 Is this in addition to the £1million? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 The biggest fraudsters are the banks and the super rich that use tax avoidance :!: :!: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 Think we know that - anyway, why arn't you on the demos at the stock exchange?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 :lol: I don't think my back could take sleeping on the floor these days, and sadly I'm off to Middlesborough in the early morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 The biggest fraudsters are the banks and the super rich that use tax avoidance :!: :!: For your homework look up the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion (hint - tax avoidance is legal) :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 I know the difference, And thats why I put it in, Just because it is legal, it does not make it morally right, does it Asp You seem to be hanging on my every word Asp :lol: What a boring life, waiting for someone to trip :roll: I think you need to get off here, and get some, your becoming pedantic again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 asperity, are you really not getting any? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 I know the difference, And thats why I put it in, Just because it is legal, it does not make it morally right, does it Asp You seem to be hanging on my every word Asp :lol: What a boring life, waiting for someone to trip :roll: I think you need to get off here, and get some, your becoming pedantic again Thats why we have tax laws - to define what is payable and what is not. Morals don't come into it. It's nonsensical statements like this from you that make it impossible for me to ignore. If you don't want me commenting on whatever nonesense you come out with then stop doing it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 asperity, are you really not getting any? And the reason why you're asking is? ??: ??: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 I'm not really interested if you are or not asperity, it's your own private business, I was just ridiculing the impertinance and stupidity of the question, which usually is the retort of a person who can think of nothing better to say, knowing already that he has lost the arguemnt, so to speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 Okay Cleo, I'm happy with that :grin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 Oh Cleo you've still not forgiven me for that joke The tax laws were put their by people who wanted to keep in with people with money, It is unfair that people can take advantage of loop holes put their deliberately so people could get out of paying tax, funny their are no loop holes for the poor to exploit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 So Lt Kije when you fill in your tax return do you tell the taxman that he hasn't taken enough tax off you, morally, and that he should accept some more to keep your moral conscience clear. You are talking absolute rubbish and you know it, but can't back down because you can never admit you're wrong. You and Obs live in the same world where that is concerned. As for it being some sort of conspiracy where the taxman deliberately creates loopholes for the rich to exploit, that is more of your nonsense. Get back to reality before I die laughing :lol: :lol: :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 "From each according to their means, to each according to their needs" - sounds a reasonable proposition if you want to live in a cohesive, civilized society. After all, arn't we all "in it" together"?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 All very nice if you live in cloud cuckoo land Obs. But here in the real world, as well you know, we have loads of people who are unwilling to get out of bed to help themselves and are quite content to let other people work to support them. And giving everyone the same take home pay would not result in your cohesive civilized society. Dream on, it aint never going to happen. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 Who mentioned "same take home pay"? Not me. Simples - just apply a progressive tax system - more you earn (or in some cases make), the more you pay - and it is happening - problem is, 50p ain't high enough and evasion/avoidance arn't being tackled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 Funny Asp some Rich Americans have come forward to say they do not pay enough tax! Warren Buffett among them, Their are to many tax breaks for the super rich. Completely agree with Obs last post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asperity Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 And are you volunteering to give a bit extra to the taxman Lt Kije, or aren't you quite as rich as Mr Buffett? Have neither of you ever heard of the Laffer curve? :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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