15 June 2004 - Benefit fraud tops public poll
People think it’s more important to stamp out benefit fraud than litter, graffiti or tax evasion.
More than nine out of ten (94%) rated stopping benefit cheats as extremely or very important. In comparison, seven in ten felt the same way about graffiti and eight in ten about litter.
The new research also shows that more than two thirds of the public strongly believe that abusing the benefits system is no different to stealing.
The survey findings were revealed as the DWP launches the next phase of its Targeting Benefit Fraud campaign, one year after the adverts first hit TV screens and billboards. The research also found that around three quarters of the population have now seen the campaign and its hard hitting messages and there is an 86% recognition factor among benefit claimants.
The campaign backs up public opinion by warning cheats: We’re on to you. The ads serve as a reminder that the Government now has more intelligence about where and when people try to commit benefit fraud and more powers to catch them.
These powers resulted in a record number of prosecutions and sanctions last year – over 32,000 across the UK.
Anti-Fraud Minister Chris Pond commented: “Our research bears out that the public are fed up with cheats who steal money from the tax payer that should go to people in genuine need of help.
“That's why the Government is cracking down on benefit fraud and getting good results. And the public have supported our campaign by contacting us if they suspect someone they know of committing fraud.
"With the public's help, we've cut fraud in the main two working age benefits by 38% but we're not finished yet. We're on course to halve fraud by 2006.
"Benefit fraud costs this country £2 billion a year - that's money that should be spent on schools and hospitals and other vital public services. By calling the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854440, the public can help us to make sure that the cheats don't get away with it."
Notes for editors
- The Department for Work and Pensions has targets to reduce fraud and error in Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance by 33 per cent by March 2004 and by 50 per cent by March 2006. The department also has a target to reduce fraud and error in Housing Benefit by 25 per cent by March 2006.
- DWP, in partnership with local authorities, is carrying out more prosecutions and sanctions against fraudsters than ever before – in 2002/03 there were over 32,000 prosecutions and sanctions. The Fraud Act 2001 gave fraud investigators more powers to catch and punish offenders, including greater powers to check records with other organisations.
- The new Targeting Fraud campaign was launched in June 2003 with the slogan “We’re on to you.” It features a sinister spotlight that follows fraudsters as they work, to warn potential cheats that we know where and when they are likely to try to commit benefit fraud.
For more information contact: Ruth McAllister or Kathy Barlow on 020 7238 0758/0723
Press office: 020 7238 0866
Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Public enquiries: 020 7712 2171
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk