Labour: Welfare fraud is a distraction
Shadow welfare reform minister Jim Knight attacks the coalition government’s plans for a crackdown on benefit fraud and error:
“The Labour government halved welfare fraud over the past decade and it’s right that this should remain a priority.
“But David Cameron must not use this as a distraction from the fact that his government’s policies will increase the numbers of people who are unemployed and dependent on benefits – at a cost to the taxpayer which will dwarf these fraud savings.
“The Labour government set out a new approach to tackling fraud in the public sector in March.
“Amongst its recommendations was a greater emphasis on fraud prevention, a wider sharing of data and more work to combat identity fraud – all learning from the private sector.”
