THERE has been a lot of concern about government changes to benefits, especially the Disability Living Allowance.

People with genuine disabilities who need help to live independent lives have been fearful that their financial lifeline might be severed in a race to cut spending.

One major reason why DLA has been highlighted by politicians as an area for potential savings is the widespread suspicion that some claimants have been managing to fiddle the system, either by faking symptoms to get benefits or by continuing to claim after debilitating conditions have cleared up.

Peter Dixon is a good example of a cheat whose antics have swindled taxpayers and also cast a shadow over the many claimants with real mobility problems.

He was deservedly jailed for dishonest claims after being filmed leaving a doctor’s surgery in a wheelchair and then walking from his car to his house.

He was also shown pulling pints in a pub.

The prosecution is reassuring, though, since it does show that real efforts are being made to catch the minority of phoney claimants and bring them to justice.