Crackdown on benefit cheats as fraud reaches record high

Treasury has appointed two more inspectors in a bid to crackdown on people who are flouting the system and claiming benefits as a 'lifestyle decision': 

 

 

In the last financial year benefit overpayments as a result of fraud have topped £700,000 - the highest figure since records began; in the last 12 months 14 people have been prosecuted. 

 

Eight of those received custodial sentences - offenders are also required to pay back the money they've 'effectively stolen' from the taxpayer, something Minister Eddie Teare says hits them back: