Benefit cheat to pay back all £24k

This headline is way too optimistic. William Sykes fraudulently claimed £10,900 income support, £3,350 housing benefit, £1,445 council tax benefit and £8,950 disability living allowance while working in his wife's café. He has been jailed for nine months.

Evidently the couple have no assets. They have lived in the same council house for 24 years. So repayment will come from any future benefits! As the report says, this "could mean Sykes will be repaying the money for the rest of his days".

• People convicted of benefit fraud should have to repay twice the amount and should not be eligible for any further benefits – including tax credits - until they have.