I blame the employers
We are still reeling from the latest story of DWP incompetence:
"A WOMAN who claimed a bad back made it impossible for her work was employed at the SAME Government department that paid out her benefits.
Twenty-four-year-old Joanne Kirman fraudulently obtained over £9,000 whilst employed at the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
Magistrates at Blackpool, Lancashire heard the DWP handed over £9,474 to Kirman between April 2005 and January last year in incapacity benefit and income support. She got the money after stating she was incapable of work but all the time she was sitting behind one of their desks taking calls.
The court heard it was a £15,000 a year job which Kirman obtained through a disability advisor at the Department of Work and Pensions.
Steven Townley , defending, said: “She got the job at the DWP through an advisor at the DWP but maintains she had no idea how the benefits system worked.”
What can you possibly say?
Not only has DWP allowed itself to be conned. Again.
Not only was it their right hand not talking to their left hand. Again.
But the absolute smackeur du gob, it was they themselves employing her. And not just at some forgotten out-station either: Blackpool is DWP's national helpline centre.
As for her excuse that she had "no idea" how the benefits system works, we're inclined to believe her. Such is the quagmire of Brown's benefits system, most of her ex-colleagues are probably in exactly the same position.
(HTP John P)