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Councils are spending millions of pounds on controversial lie-detector tests to catch benefit fraudsters, despite the system being dismissed by one expert as "closer to astrology than science", according to a report.
Using information from credit reference agencies such as Experian, Equifax and Callcredit that is "publicly available" and is "already used by commercial organisations" sounds an innocuous route to catch benefit cheats.
Published in the UK by the highly specialised, peer-reviewed International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law (IJSLL), they alleged that, scientifically, the "layered voice analysis" technology in lie detectors currently being trialled by UK local authorities trying to catch benefit cheats is "at the astrology end of the spectrum".
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But this is a bit like saying that the point of a benefit system is to catch out benefit frauds.
They are trying it already, with those oh-so-infallible lie detector machines to catch out benefit cheats.
As The Economist went to press there were rumours that France might follow suit.The intention is to catch cash benefits paid between now and April 5th, the end of the tax year, including loans against shares deposited in trusts, and other such tax-avoidance dodges.
"It means students lose some of their summer vacation, but we feel it's worth it so they can catch up and benefit from peer support for the rest of the programme," says Mike Dawney, director of British Isles recruitment at Middlesex University.
If we privatize this, then those who can afford police, whether for protection or to catch criminals, would benefit, while the rest of us would be at the mercy of a lawless society.
There is always the chance a company might get away with a violation, and even if the company gets caught, the benefits might be more than what must be paid to settle an investigation.
"The cost of our benefits caught up with our benefits and passed it.
The catch, this benefit can not be transferred to a new owner.
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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com