Debt Dodging – The Top Ten Benefits Scandals
The benefits system in the UK is build on noble principles. It provides a valuable safety net for those who find themselves in fiscal dire straits. The recent economic crisis has shown us that anyone can be affected by a sudden change in financial circumstances. In particular, loss of employment is a common cause of this extremely difficult situation and will often result in an inability to meet debt repayments. Of course, in addition to the benefits system, help and advice from companies like Debtsolver can help you to solve the debt problem and see out the period of unemployment.
However, there are those that exploit the benefit system and perpetuate our national debt problems, rather than making an effort to solve them. The lengths that some people will go to in order to avoid working are staggering, as is the cost to the British taxpayer. That puts more pressure on all of our finances. Here is a top ten of some of the most scandalous abuses of the British benefits system and an estimation of how much they cost (according to comparison site TotallyMoney.com).
- Almost half of the residents of Falinge, in Rochdale, are currently claiming incapacity benefit. Across the country, over two and a half million are doing the same. That’s nearly 5% of the UK population and it costs the UK taxpayer over £40k a week.
- Islamic cleric received more than £1million worth of legal aid, while claiming £680 each week in state benefits. Although he actually owned another property that generated £130,000 in profit, he lived in a £550,000 council house.
- Having raised all 13 of her children on benefits, the thought of having to find work, now that some are leaving home, did not appeal to one woman. She’s currently estimated to be “earning” over £27,000 in benefits, which is comparable to a salary of £37,500.
- A family of 4 with a combined weight in excess of 80 stone have maintained that they are too big to work. That means an estimated £22,000 a year in benefits. One daughter claimed, “It’s not our fault we can’t work… no one wants to employ fat people.” She turned down a job offer on live radio a month later.
- A couple invented 16 children to fraudulently claim more than £75,000 over four years. However, despite being imprisoned for fraud, it was claimed that this was, in fact, a public service; exposing loopholes in the benefits system.
- An 18 year old, who left her parents’ £1million home at 14 to have a baby, has recently given birth to twins –to a different father. She is now claiming that her £16,000 a year in benefits is not a sufficient sum to live on; despite the median salary in the UK being roughly £20,000.
- A 29-stone mum on benefits is too busy to feed her 8 month old triplets healthy food. Existing on nearly double their recommended calorie intake, the children are only allowed vegetables once a week.
- The strongest man in Cornwall in 2007 took home the title and £300. However, he was also taking home £40,000 in disability payments at the time and holding down a job. Naturally, he didn’t inform the authorities because it would’ve cost him his housing and council tax benefits.
- A couple claimed £40,000 worth of benefits while they sailed around the world in a luxury yacht. While too sick to work they enjoyed scuba diving in Kenya and swimming with dolphins in the Canary Islands.
- While seeking asylum in the UK, Iranian national Massoud Montazery claimed £25,000 in benefits. However, he also had over half a million pounds in a secret bank account, drove a Merc and dressed designer.
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