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

Programme Manager - Castle Point Borough Council

Essex County Council
Up to £550.0000 per day
Programme Manager - Castle Point Borough Council Castle Point, Essex Full-Time, Temporary 2 month contract £550 per day Umbrella, Outside IR35 Project England, Essex, Thundersley
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Finance Assistant - Debt Collection - 12-month FTC

Essex County Council
Up to £25959 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Finance Assistant - Debt Collection - 12-month Maternity Cover Fixed Term ContractFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Shared Planning Lawyer

Broxbourne Borough Council
Up to £68,506 pa
Are you a focused, enthusiastic team player who enjoys a varied and interesting caseload Cheshunt, Waltham Cross
Recuriter: Broxbourne Borough Council

Strategic Director of Adult Social Care and Health

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
circa £130,000 p.a.
Are you someone who leads with heart, thinks with vision, and delivers with impact? Tameside, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Assistant Director of All Age Commissioning

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
£107,521 p.a.
Are you someone who leads with heart, thinks with vision, and delivers with impact? Tameside, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner