City steps up battle with benefit cheats

AROUND 70,000 homes in the city are being targeted as part of a mail drop aimed at tackling benefit fraud.

The council is working with the Department of Work and Pensions to crack down on the problem.

The estimated annual cost of fraud in the UK is £900 million, or £36 from each family. In 2006/07, the city council dealt with 44,500 benefit claims, including 2197 referrals that were subject to further investigation, of which 93 were proven to be fraudulent.

Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, the city's finance leader, said: "The vast majority of people who receive benefits are genuinely entitled to them.

"However, there is a minority who are intent on stealing money from those who need it most.

"Some people clearly don't regard benefit fraud as theft, or think that the rules don't apply to their situation.

"But the examples given in the leaflet should clearly drive home the message that what they are doing is against the law and that there are severe penalties."

A spokesman for the DWP added: "DWP has worked closely with Edinburgh City Council to produce this newsletter as part of a wider PR campaign, targeting benefit thieves."