PROSECUTIONS for benefit fraud in the UK are on the increase.

In the 2009/10 financial year, my local Council prosecuted 148 people for benefit fraud. The following year 2010-11, this had risen to 357.   

I contacted my local MP Mark Reckless he assured me they will recover the full monies swindled in this case.

I contacted my friend Councillor Ted Baker, he told me: "We will not tolerate benefit fraud. It's a misconception that benefit fraudsters do not affect anyone else as they are stealing money that could otherwise be paid to those genuinely in need, or help to pay for services to our residents.

"Anyone contemplating claiming benefits to which they are not entitled should be aware that our investigators have enhanced powers, access to much more information to detect fraud and that we will not hesitate to bring these cases to the courts."