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			Wednesday 19 June, 2013 Edition #4064

Investigators say Spain is number one for “benefit fraud abroad”

Palma/Madrid.—With an estimated 800'000 Britons living in Spain, it is the number one country in the world, for Britons committing “benefit fraud abroad”. More allegations are made about people living in Spain whilst continuing to receive UK benefits than, in any other country where British expatriates live.

So investigators from the Department of Work & Pension have today (17 June) issued a fresh appeal to British expats to report anyone they suspect of fraudulently claiming UK benefits whilst living in Spain, to help stop taxpayers’ money being wasted on benefit thieves, when it could be spent on valuable public services such as hospitals and schools.

Married couple Peter and Marilyn Flanders from Exmouth, Devon lied to benefit officials about having no income or property in order to claim a variety of means-tested UK benefits including housing and council tax benefit.

It later transpired that the couple owned a villa in Spain that, if declared, would have made them ineligible for the benefits. In total they had fraudulently claimed over Ł30'000 of UK taxpayers’ money. They were given confiscation orders and ordered to repay the money they had stolen or face imprisonment. David Freud, Minister for Welfare Reform, said: “Taxpayers’ money should be going to the people who need it most, not lining the pockets of criminals. The vast majority of British people overseas are law abiding. But those who are fraudulently claiming benefits while living abroad are committing a crime. We are determined to put a stop to it.” Investigators say the three most common types of benefit fraud in Spain involve people who: l are on means-tested benefits going abroad but failing to declare their absence.
· have undeclared property abroad. l are working while claiming sickness benefits.
In Spain, claims for Income Support or Pension Credit are the most frequently investigated for fraud.
Benefit fraudsters are thieves, so if you suspect someone of committing benefit fraud in Spain call the free and confidential fraud hotline on 900 554 440, or fill in the online form available at www.dwp.gov.uk/benefit-thieves-spain.

Four Britons appear in court after Punta Ballena street battle

Palma.—Four of the ten people arrested in Magalluf, on Sunday night, appeared in a Palma court yesterday.
The four were arrested shortly after 4am, when a Guardia Civil patrol spotted them hitting and kicking anyone who happened to cross their paths and some of the innocent victims apparently needed medical attention.

When the Guardia Civil moved in, the four ran into the crowds in Punta Ballena and sparked a running street battle, by throwing chairs and tables at their fellow compatriots in an attempt to give the police, the slip. However, they failed and were subsequently arrested.

Yesterday, the four, two of which are minors, were charged with resisting arrest, public order offenses and personal injury.
The date for the court hearing has yet to be set.

Carrefour Property will open its new S’Estada complex in 2015

Palma.— Carrefour Property plans on opening its new S’Estada shopping complex in Coll d’en Rebassa, in 2015.
160 million euros is going to be invested in the new complex and, according to Sebastian Palacios, the Director of Operations for Carrefour Property in Spain, once the S’Estada “the business strategy behind it, its design and architecture will make it one of the most outstanding, commercial sites, in Majorca and overseas.” Carrefour Property, will be responsible for investing 120 million of the total 160 million euros, the rest will come from the 120 retailers who are going to be opening stores on the cite.

Palacios said that project, which now has all the necessary planning permission and licenses, will “totally revolutionise” Majorca’s commercial sector.
He also said that consumers will also benefit from new brands and products which until now, were not available in Spain.
The retail park will cover an area of 65'000 square metres and will offer an underground car park and a further 2'800 parking spaces above ground.
The new S’Estada complex will be built on the site where Carrefour already has a hyper market and once complete, the entire commercial complex will spread out over an area of 125'023 square metres.

Construction work is due to start at the end of this summer holiday season and Palacios said that they expect around 12 million people, to visit the complex, every year.

And, the site, which will have a very Mediterranean feel, will create 1'500 direct jobs and a further 2'000 auxiliary positions.

VAC2 IS HOME SAFE AND SOUND

Palam.—Jeremy Linford, who was in charge of the refit project here in Palma and who skippered VAC2 home, with her owner Dan Stevens, said yesterday that through the Bulletin the crew would like to thank everyone in Palma and the STP yard for all their help in restoring the Virgin Atlantic Challenger II which Sir Richard Branson, had built 27 years ago, to set a new Blue Ribband record for the fastest Atlantic crossing. For those who have been following the story, she ended up being dumped in the STP yard seven years ago but earlier this year Dan Stevens,came to her rescue and, at midday on Sunday, as planned. VAC2 thundered into Plymouth harbour at 46 knots.“It was a great experience, we had been given special permission to break the usual 10 knots speed barrier and hundreds of people had come out to watch us. Some had been waiting for four hours and in fact, we had made such good time, we held off out at sea until midday, in order not to disappoint anyone. “The boat handled really well, we had to watch the weather windows, but on the whole it was a really smooth journey home, although there were a few bumpy moments, however she held up well and we’re really pleased as with boats, you never know. But we had no problems,” Jeremy said.

Dan Stevens who owns Mount Batten Ferries, said: “It’s epic to bring her back into British waters. It’s brilliant. “I’m glad that I was in a position to save such an historic boat.” Dan already has big plans to restore the Virgin Atlantic Challenger II to her former glory.
He will race her in the Cowes, Torquay, in September and the ‘round Britain race’next year.