PRESS RELEASE: OnePoll (Expenses)
Written: Friday 12th June, 2009
TO CLAIM OR NOT TO CLAIM
DRAFT NEWS COPY
Millions of workers are now more reluctant to make fake claims on their expenses in the wake of the MP row, according to new research.
A staggering 43 per cent of people say they now think twice before claiming for something they shouldn't be because they are worried of getting caught.
And while 29 per cent are just worried that boss is looking closer than ever at their claims, 15 per cent know for sure that their expenses are now being scrutinised closely.
More than one in ten have even received a memo from their manager warning them that any claims are being inspected before they are approved.
A spokesman for market research site www.OnePoll.com said: ''I'm sure at some stage in their lives, everyone has tried to claim for something on their expenses that they shouldn't be.
''But thanks to the MP's claiming for everything and anything, the topic has really been brought to everyone's attention.
''So with this mind, people are really thinking about it before trying to get the cash for an extra few miles, or passing off a dinner with friends as a business lunch.''
The poll of 5,000 workers found that over half have to claim an average of £13.26 a week to cover expenses in their job.
And a cheeky quarter of those admitted to putting in fake claims worth a typical £26.09.
But 17 per cent say they are now worried about the type of things they claim on their expenses after seeing the drama unfold in Westminster.
And one in five workers are claiming less than they were a month ago, with 17 per cent of those saying their expenses has shrunk by at least 50 per cent.
It's not just workers who are wary of expenses now though 17 per cent of employers have cut back on what their staff can claim for.
Another one in 20 has capped them.
Researchers also found that seven per cent of workers have been pulled up on dodgy expenses claims at some point, with four per cent of those in the past two weeks.
Three per cent have even lost their job after being caught fiddling their expenses.
ENDS
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com
