news item:
Zara O'Shayer pleaded guilty at Havering Magistrates Court on 8 December to the offence of failing to declare that Anthony Cox lived with her at 6a Essex Gardens from the start of her tenancy. She was sentenced to four months imprisonment and ordered to pay ÂĢ14,961.28 back to Havering Council.
Cllr Roger Ramsey, Lead Member for Resources, said: "Our Benefit Fraud Team acts on behalf of all residents, actively investigating and pursuing claimants through the courts who fraudulently claim council tax or housing benefit. Our teams will continue to be vigilant and deliver a high level of service that protects public funds and prosecutes those who abuse the system for their own gains. Havering Council is committed to ensuring any allegation of benefit fraud is investigated and appropriate action is taken."
news item:
Departing MPs get a special allowance to help them adjust to "non-Parliamentary" life - but only if they leave at a general election.
If they resign immediately and force a by-election they lose out.
Which is why, presumably, the ones who have announced their retirement are in no hurry to pack up their possessions and head for the exits, and plan to serve out their time until polling day.
That and the fact that the party leaders are in no mood for by-elections in the current volatile climate.
'Dishonourable'
There appears to be growing cross-party support for allowing the "recall" of underperforming or badly-behaved MPs.