Benefits database to tackle fraud

A CENTRAL database of everyone in France who receives benefits could be put in place by the end of this year to help tackle fraud.

At the moment there is no easy way for authorities to see what a claimant is already receiving, in terms of family benefits, RSA income support and housing benefit.

Health and employment minister Xavier Bertrand said: "We will know exactly who receives what and detect people who claim twice and other payment mistakes."

Hervé Morin, the president of the Nouveau Centre party, said there needed to be strong rules governing how the data could be used, in order to protect "millions of honest people".

Jean-Michel Baylet, président of the far-left Parti Radical de Gauche said the new measures would "stigmatise" France's most poorest people.

The number of cases of benefit fraud detected by the Caisse d'Allocations Familiales grew by 10% last year to 13,000.

The Caisses d'Allocations Familiales employ more than 1,000 anti-fraud staff locally.