RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has clashed with a government minister over illegal immigrants claiming bogus benefits.

Angela Eagle accused the Tory front bencher of making a 'disgraceful contribution.'

Mr Evans asked her: "Are you aware of a case in which a person was caught claiming for 43 children and 11 houses? He was an illegal immigrant and was jailed for three-and-a-half years.

"Would you stress to people who are cheating the system that they cheat not only the Government, but those who could also be receiving benefits if the system were not being fleeced as it is?

"As there are a reported 70,000 asylum-seekers flooding into the country, will she reassure the country that, whereas the Home Office seems to have lost its grip on those people, the Department of Social Security will ensure that they are not fleecing the system?"

Junior Social Security Minister Ms Eagle said: "As always in this matter you make a disgraceful contribution. I assure you that we take fraud extremely seriously.

"You prove that by citing a case that prosecuted successfully and in which the person was jailed, prosecutions are going up.

"We shall not tolerate fraud in the Social Security system. We work night and day to ensure that we minimise successful fraud."

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