Are you a benefit fraud.. and living in Spain?
#1
Are you a benefit fraud.. and living in Spain?
Ah ha - the government's on your case!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12081634
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12081634
A crackdown has been launched by the government on UK benefit cheats who live abroad.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has joined forces with overseas counterparts to target the countries where the most cases take place.
The DWP said the highest instances of fraud was recorded by people living in Spain, Pakistan, the US and Bangladesh.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has joined forces with overseas counterparts to target the countries where the most cases take place.
The DWP said the highest instances of fraud was recorded by people living in Spain, Pakistan, the US and Bangladesh.
#2
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Are you a benefit fraud.. and living in Spain?
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,588
Re: Are you a benefit fraud.. and living in Spain?
Good too many people ripping of the UK benefit system hence the state we are in
#4
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,590
Re: Are you a benefit fraud.. and living in Spain?
It looks like the only difference is that those in Westminster can get away with lots more out of the kitty, and legally if they know the loopholes, and they obviously do, and some have unfortunately gone even further.
But on the other hand......
I have often wondered why all the expats that have gone back to the Uk with the recession biting, have gone back if they can't afford to manage in Spain, it's far more expensive there, unless of course they will be going back to claim benefits.
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Aracena area Huelva Spain
Posts: 1,631
Re: Are you a benefit fraud.. and living in Spain?
Does anyone know about the tax implications (in Spain) of having an unemployed partner. My OH has been unemployed here for a year now. I've been autonomo here for 9 months.
We're struggling frankly. Apparently I can put him down as a dependant when I hand in my annual accounts in Jan. But what does that do for us? Do I get any tax breaks for this?
We're struggling frankly. Apparently I can put him down as a dependant when I hand in my annual accounts in Jan. But what does that do for us? Do I get any tax breaks for this?
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 145
Re: Are you a benefit fraud.. and living in Spain?
People that have gone back to the UK, have had no choice, they stuck it out for as long as they could. and really most should have gone back along time before they did. There familys will have come to there aid in alot of cases, and then theres the goverment help if all else fails.
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 145
Re: Are you a benefit fraud.. and living in Spain?
#11
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Are you a benefit fraud.. and living in Spain?
Dave in Sopain has it right. The shit we are in is that caused by the grasping bastards in the uS flogging ninja mortgages.
However, blaming a few benefit scroungers is so much easier than ever doing anything effective, eh?
Plus it distracts from the real problem.
However, blaming a few benefit scroungers is so much easier than ever doing anything effective, eh?
Plus it distracts from the real problem.
#12
Re: Are you a benefit fraud.. and living in Spain?
yes it would annoy me if claimants were living in Spain and my tax is keeping them.
In saying this I dont find Spain in these days cheap to live , In fact I find it cheaper in UK
Clothes , shoes food all less expensive I find Spain a rip off for Brits
In saying this I dont find Spain in these days cheap to live , In fact I find it cheaper in UK
Clothes , shoes food all less expensive I find Spain a rip off for Brits
#13
Ex Expat
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: West Midlands, ex Granada province
Posts: 2,140
Re: Are you a benefit fraud.. and living in Spain?
Yes it's exactly this that makes me wonder whether we should support the fraudsters or turn them in.
It looks like the only difference is that those in Westminster can get away with lots more out of the kitty, and legally if they know the loopholes, and they obviously do, and some have unfortunately gone even further.
But on the other hand......
I have often wondered why all the expats that have gone back to the Uk with the recession biting, have gone back if they can't afford to manage in Spain, it's far more expensive there, unless of course they will be going back to claim benefits.
It looks like the only difference is that those in Westminster can get away with lots more out of the kitty, and legally if they know the loopholes, and they obviously do, and some have unfortunately gone even further.
But on the other hand......
I have often wondered why all the expats that have gone back to the Uk with the recession biting, have gone back if they can't afford to manage in Spain, it's far more expensive there, unless of course they will be going back to claim benefits.
And the customer service is better.
As regards Benefit fraudsters, it is important to remember that some UK Benefits can be claimed quite legitimately in Spain.
As for the Westminster fraudsters...I personally don't think that their wrongdoings are any justification for anyone else to commit a wrongdoing!
Last edited by scampicat; Dec 27th 2010 at 9:49 pm.
#14
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,590
Re: Are you a benefit fraud.. and living in Spain?
I agree, but the utility bills and council tax and water rates are much cheaper in Spain don't you think?
#15
Re: Are you a benefit fraud.. and living in Spain?
I don't know the official inflation figures for what they're worth anyway, but it does appear to me that prices have been shooting up much faster in Spain than in the UK, and appear to be still doing so.