Just to cheer you up on a Friday, have a look at the latest Fraud report from DWP - something in the region of £2 billion going out inadvertantly (allegedly).

however, they do concede that the figures have been reduced by a remarkable (at first glance) 55% - however, when you read on, this is apparently because they changed their method of calculation.

Not content with that little gem, they they go on to say that the figures may be subject to "statistical inaccuracies": now, I seem to remember that in the good old days that was called "a guess".

You can't make this up can you - statistical inaccuracies indeed - upteen pages just to tell people that the bottom line is the result of a guess: you can bet that young Allen Sugar didn't get where is is today by using such technical methods.................

As I understand it they used to calculate the amount of fraud going on by adding a figure as how much the "fraudster" would have got away with if they hadn't been caught.

Perhaps they are now deducting the amount they are are spending on telly adverts, the costs of which can be variable depending on the time of day the adverts are broadcast. And, who picks the time of day when fraudsters are watching the telly, feel guilty, and hand themselves in? Who does the market research for that?

or...........?



No wonder there are statistical inaccuracies!