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Crime Solicitors
Record £1bn in overpaid benefits through fraud and error recovered in 2015-2016 (19 December 2016)
Date: 19/12/2016
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recorded an overall fall in the level of benefit fraud, compared with figures for 2010.
In 2010, benefit fraud stood at 2.1%, compared with the most recent figure of 1.9%. Benefit fraud figures include both criminal activity – overpayment errors involve errors by benefit office staff and claimants, which currently stand at a record low of just 0.3% and 0.5%, respectively.
A record £1 billion in overpaid benefits through fraud and error was recovered in 2015-2016, latest figures also show.
Dedicated benefit fraud investigators pursue and prosecute those who try to defraud the system – in 2014-2015, around 5,000 people were prosecuted for benefit fraud, with a further 6,000 administrative penalties handed down.
Minister for Welfare Reform, Lord Freud said:
“We will not tolerate fraud and will pursue those who try to cheat the system.
“We have strengthened penalties and powers to combat fraud and error in the benefit system – and are introducing reforms, such as Universal Credit, which will reduce fraud and error and is expected to save £1 billion when fully rolled out.
“Many deserving people rely on benefits when hard times hit, so it’s vital we stop those who try to divert funds away from them and maintain a system that is fair to those who use it and those who pay for it.”
To strengthen the fight against fraud and error in the benefit system, since 2010 the government has unified the Fraud and Error Service, bringing together local authorities, HM Revenue & Customs and the DWP to prosecute fraudsters across the benefit system.
Measures to deter fraudsters have also been strengthened, including increasing loss of benefit penalties and financial penalties, up to a maximum of £5,000.
Matched data from the Real Time Information system is now used to detect undeclared earnings or income and correct or adjust a person’s benefits.
Universal Credit has also been introduced, which the government says is simplifying the system, replacing six existing benefits.
Duncan Lewis Benefit Fraud Lawyers
Duncan Lewis benefit fraud lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving benefit fraud, including charges relating to:
- Child Tax Credits
- DLA
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credits
- PIP
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credits.
There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence lawyer can attend interviews under caution with the DWP or local authority counter-fraud teams.
Duncan Lewis is a leading provider of Legal Aid criminal defence services.
For expert legal advice on all benefit fraud charges, call Duncan Lewis benefit fraud lawyers on 0333 772 0409.