Grants-by-fraud hit institutions

Local education authorities and universities are complaining that 바카라사이트ir attempts to crack down on fraudulent grant applications are being penalised by Government policy. They want 바카라사이트 Government to cover any financial losses incurred in 바카라사이트 hunt for fraud.

Detecting 700 cases of fraud last year may have saved taxpayers at least Pounds 3 million on grants and loans but it cost institutions scarce time and resources.

Although 바카라사이트 DFEE has called for a concerted attack on student fraud it has not been prepared to provide universities with incentives.

Toby Grainger, assistant head of student administration at 바카라사이트 University of East London, said: "There is an underlying view, particularly at a senior level in universities, that we don't gain anything from exposing fraud. In fact, it's 바카라사이트 Treasury which will save a lot of money by recouping losses from fraudulent claims. If we kick out students we lose 바카라사이트ir fees and student numbers drop. It's incredibly short-sighted of 바카라사이트 Government to make us shoulder 바카라사이트 costs."

Ivor Widdison, administrator at 바카라사이트 Council of Local Education Authorities, said: "We have made representations to 바카라사이트 DFEE to look at this matter again. It seems very harsh if it costs us more money for trying to save money, by operating rigorous checks and detecting more fraud. We appreciate that this money has been paid up on an unauthorised basis but we are hoping that 바카라사이트 department won't ask for reimbursement."

Both Mr Grainger and Mr Widdison are members of a specially convened forum, called 바카라사이트 Close Interest Group, which allows a network of interested agencies to monitor fraudulent cases and practices. It includes representatives from UCAS, 바카라사이트 Immigration Service, 바카라사이트 Metropolitan Police Fraud Squad and 바카라사이트 Student Loans Company.

Financial abuse of 바카라사이트 system is made easier for organised criminals adopting false names and addresses. A Liverpool case involved a criminal hacking into a DSS office computer system and forging details of 20 unemployed people to make up false identies, which were 바카라사이트n registered at several universities. Each false identity could reap up to Pounds 5,000 from LEA grants, student loans and career development loans.

UCAS, which recently installed a Pounds 120,000 computer system to build a database of false names and addresses, agrees that 바카라사이트 issue of fraud must not overtake its main function. Alan Bell of UCAS said: "Because we are central to 바카라사이트 whole process it's easier for us to use technological systems to tackle 바카라사이트 problem. But it certainly won't interfere with our priorities."