Are we alone?

[ailurophile]

Trueblue wrote:

It would seem to me that it is time for the Counting House to invoke the "Home visit inspection" clause that is included in most means testing systems to ensure that confidence in the system is not undermined by possible fraud by friends of ailurophile.

Oh dear. I'm not sure whether to be amused or offended (though presumably the latter is intended) by the implication that I represent some type of Fagin-like character at the centre of a web of organised deception! Sorry to disappoint you TrueBlue, but nothing could be further from the case. Maybe it is time for the Counting House to invoke the threat of home visits more rigorously, but I think they'd be at risk of wasting their time and money if they limit this to my known associates!!

[huggermugger]

.

At what point do the ‘rules’ dictate that someone’s new partner becomes bona fide to the extent of taking on financial responsibility for the family?

At the point where they move into the family home and accept responsibility for the children in that home.It is a disgrace to defraud the school on these terms simply to improve your standrard of living.People who do this are mocking the people who play by the rules.

Totally agree.

[lonelymom]

But whether the new partner wants to take on financial responsibility for the children or not, he/she is taking on half the responsibility for the household running costs, ie half the mortgage/rent, half the council tax, half the water rates, half the insurance etc, which needs to be declared as these are all deductable outgoings.

[eagerdad]

But whether the new partner wants to take on financial responsibility for the children or not, he/she is taking on half the responsibility for the household running costs, ie half the mortgage/rent, half the council tax, half the water rates, half the insurance etc, which needs to be declared as these are all deductable outgoings.

I followed this thread for a while but the last few posts made . Having a new partner alters your financial status, there is no requirement for you to be in a legal partnership for this to apply (According to my friends that work for the CSA). Non declaration of these changes of circumstance are fraud.

Independent Education is our choice,even taking into account unique funding arrangements at CH when your child attends an Independent School you have to review every year if you can afford it. We must remember 93% of children are educated in State Schools. For some parents to conceal income/new partners affects the school's income and other parents.

[onewestguncopse]

I agree wholeheartedly with the above comments. For as long as I have worked at CH, I have heard stories about parents who employ accounting methods to reduce their income. The irony is that it is often very obvious to staff, but oddly not to the counting house! At a time when CH is in financial straits and we are having long discussions about the need to raise moeny from fees etc, this immoral behaviour damages the school immensely.

[lonelymom]

For as long as I have worked at CH, I have heard stories about parents who employ accounting methods to reduce their income.

What does that mean? How/what to do they do?

[YadaYada]

Don't sound so eager to find out lonelymom!!!!

[lonelymom]

That did sound a bit desperate, didn't it? But really, I was just intrigued as to what ways/means people 'reduce their income'. It seems straightforward to me - we supply P60s, wageslips, and photographic evidence of mortgage, Council Tax etc. How can that vary?

[midget]

Ask an MP, lonelymom!

[lonelymom]

I never thought of that!!! They'll be able to tell me how to adjust the figures so CH end up paying me!

[onewestguncopse]

Recent examples I have heard of include - putting money offshore, not declaring an income from rented property, hiding assets such as property (ie not declaring them), one parent in UK (declares income) other abroad does not - result child has brand new ipod and very low fees!!

[onewestguncopse]

Speaking as someone whose son gets a bursary from a local prep school it is SO easy! We are honest i hasten to add BUT it would be so easy to hide assets.

[lonelymom]

Well, if it's easy to hide assets then how will CH be able to uncover them? Personally I'm shocked that people with enough funds to own a second property or have money in an offshore bank account feel the need to cheat a school like CH out of fees!

[onewestguncopse]

Your shock is touching but naive! I would guess that a large minority of income forms are subject to creative accounting. It is so obvious when you talk to the children about holidays, cars ....

[onewestguncopse]

In answer to your point about how CH would uncover them - we can't. So much is based on trust and honesty. Let me put it this way - if an accountant told you how to massage the figures to lower your income and hence your fees - how many people can truly say they would not be tempted.