Austin Macauley 06 November 2015

DWP reports £350m fall in benefit overpayments

Latest figures show benefit overpayments as a result of fraud and error have fallen by £350m over the last year.

The Department for Work and Pensions DWP) and local authorities recovered a record £930m last year, an increase of 9% over the previous year.

Data from the DWP shows there is currently £1.3bn of benefit fraud, claimant error account for £1.1bn and official errors total £700m.

Benefit fraud and error fell to 1.8% of overall welfare spending in 2014/15, compared to 2.1% in 2010/11.

Work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, said: ‘Benefit fraud is a serious crime and is taking money away from those in genuine need. That is why our investigators are vigilant in targeting criminals and bringing them to justice.

‘Our vital reforms are fixing the welfare system and figures show fraud and error in the benefits system has fallen to a record low.

'We are also continuing to recover more money than ever before, and Universal Credit will further reduce fraud and error.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Solicitor/ Barrister / Chartered Legal Executive Commercial & Contracts (x2)

Warwickshire County Council
£50,856 to £57,083 per annum
Warwickshire Legal Services (WLS) are looking for two qualified lawyers to join their award-winning, motivated, and nationally recognised legal team. Warwick
Recuriter: Warwickshire County Council

Head of Finance and Deputy s151 Officer

Conwy County Borough Council
£77,153 - £88,545
We are looking for an experienced and strategic financial leader who can operate confidently in a complex, political and fast-changing environment. Colwyn Bay, Conwy
Recuriter: Conwy County Borough Council

ICT Engineer Digital Squad

Durham County Council
£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Microsoft 365 Team for an ICT Engineer (Microsoft 365). This role will support Durham County Council's B Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Storekeeper Driver

Durham County Council
£26,403 - £28,598
An opportunity has come up in Highways Services for a Storekeeper/Driver.  They will assist the Stores Supervisor in delivering a customer focussed St Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Care Support

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 (pay award pending)
We're recruiting to a permanent role within our Pathways Service, which delivers day services to adults with complex needs, Monday to Friday. There i Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner