U.K. cheats prosper

Press, 9 February 1984, Page 28

U.K. cheats prosper

NZPA-AAP London Pilferers and cheats cost the British economy £6OOO million (SNZI3,OBO million) last year, according to the “Daily Express” newspaper. In a special investigation, the newspaper says the loss included £2400 million (?NZ6232 million) of public money and goods stolen from Government departments and State industries. In the private sector, factories and stores were hit by widespread dishonesty, the newspaper says. “Cheating is now part of

the British way of life, say research experts, and the problem is growing,” it says. The British Confederation of Industry recently called for action to stem the losses. The confederation said that the swindling "could not be tolerated.” According to the report, the retail industry lost £ 1000 million (SNZ2IBO million; builders, £450 million (SNZ9BI million); the Health Service, almost £3OO million (SNZ6S4 million); the

electricity industry, £4O million (SNZB7 million); and British Rail, £2O million ($NZ43.6 million). According to the researchers the total cost is about 2 per cent of Britain’s gross national product — the value of everything produced in the country. One researcher said the real value of the losses could be higher — they did not include tax evasion which is now estimated to be at least £4OOO million (SNZB72O million).