10-year jail term for welfare cheating

Under new guidelines set out by the director of public prosecutions, people who are into welfare cheating may face up to 10-year jail term.

13:17 16 September 2013

It seems that the Director of Public prosecutions have had enough of those people who are cheating the system in order to get into welfare. Under the new guidelines he set out, KeirStarmer QC is increasing the jail term for welfare cheating. Anyone proven guilty will face up to 10-year jail time.  He said that the government losses £1.9bn per year because of this crime. 

 

MrStarmer said: "It is a myth that 'getting one over on the system' is a victimless crime: the truth is we all pay the price. But it's not only the taxpayers that suffer.

 

"Benefits exist to protect and support the most vulnerable people in our society and, whenever the system is defrauded, it's also taking money away from those with a genuine need."

 

However, Labour MP Theresa Pearce seems to think that 10 years maybe too much. She said: "Ten years in prison, really? For something that could be like a couple of thousand pounds. Yes that's bad and there's a way you should get it back.”