Re: Government Noses

[Brian Beesley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>]

On Saturday 06 September 2003 12:13, Roland Perry wrote:
>
> I'm not sure if this is because they only prosecute the most blatant
> cases, or whether almost everyone involved in receiving benefits commits
> some kind of technical offence (the forms are complicated enough I can
> believe this might be true).

Then "they" wonder why the takeup of many benefits by those actually entitled 
to them is low, despite heavy spending on advertising.

The solution is simple. Pay EVERYONE benefits just sufficient to live on. 
Eliminating means testing removes much of the requirement to police benefits 
payments, removes the stigma involved in claiming benefits and reduces the 
cost of administration. It also removes the poverty trap which discourages 
those on benefits from seeking work.

Brian Beesley