A new fund allowing the Government to pay people who notify authorities about benefit cheats would be created under proposals being examined by Labour\’s manifesto team.
I see the point: there might be nothing better than to use the petty jealousies and gee them up with a bit of cash to get people informing about who is cheating the system.
However, it\’s all a bit East German isn\’t it? Inform on those who steal from the State and claim your reward in bananas and a holiday in a State sanatorium?
What might surprise some is that I do indeed worry about social cohesion: and I have a feeling that schemes like this might be the best argument in favour of a universal benefit like a citizen\’s basic income. Better to have a higher bill on a system that doesn\’t provide room for cheats than the snarling mass of lumpen proletariat sneaking on each other?
I’m somewhat more laid back about the scheme: rewards for catching criminals are nothing new. My concern is the same as yours: the real problem is means-tested benefits, and what this shows is where socialism always ends up, with having to get people to snitch on each other. If you think that’s a bad thing, then it’s the benefits model that’s wrong.
You might want read this post on Econlog before leaping on the CBI bandwagon.
You are trying to fix socialism. It just can’t be fixed.
Reminds me of a Red Dwarf episode.. abck to reality I think
Vote Fascist for a Third Glorious Decade of Total Law Enforcement
Be a Government Informer. Betray Your Family & Friends. Fabulous Prizes to be Won
What’d be the reward for dobbing in an MP fiddling the expenses?
Or a crooked copper?
B,foD,
On past performance, I’d say that it would probably be an unhealthy interest in your whereabouts and movements.