Letter: Whose benefit?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: I've had a lifetime of experience in apportioning benefits and advising those who claim them ("Eighty MPs defy Blair on welfare", 21 May). Initially, as an executive officer with the National Assistance Board, I worked to a system which had a welfare content but rarely met a first claim, and many a subsequent one, without a home visit being made.
Admittedly in some areas only about 20 in 1,000 of the population received help, but that was not taken as a reason to ignore the need for proper investigation. In my own district over three years there was only one case of detected fraud. This was successfully prosecuted. The Tory government to all intents did away with the home visit. Fraud blossomed.
Later in life, I turned poacher as a social worker and encouraged clients to take up their real (or imagined) rights. I was aware of many instances where the whole truth was not made known to the judicial bodies.
Labour MPs now in revolt are raising the wrong issues. There must be closer scrutiny of claims. But there must also be an increase in the welfare aspect of those claims which are successful. Firstly, the country can't afford the present wrongful spending. Secondly, the real disabled should not be subsidising the sham.
Don't say I'm seeing this from the outside. I have a war pension.
JIM BRUNTON
Edinburgh
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments