DPP Latest News: New DWP benefit fraud measures and Peterborough fraud figures

This entry was posted on Saturday, July 30th, 2011 at 6:50 pm

Over half a million pounds of benefit fraud has been uncovered in Peterborough this year, reports Peterborough Today. A new report reveals that benefit fraud investigators working for Peterborough City Council uncovered fraud worth £594,562 during the last financial year.

The figure delivered by benefit fraud investigators includes £410,749 fraudulently claimed in housing and council tax benefit and £183,813 claimed from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for benefits including Jobseekers? Allowance.

Councillor Chris Harper emphasised the importance of prosecuting fraudulent claimants. He said: ?The council has a duty to protect the public purse. The benefit system is quite rightly in place for people who need it but it is important to send a strong message to those who are committing fraud.?

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced new measures to reduce annual benefit fraud and overpayments by a quarter (£1.4 billion) by 2015, IFA Online reports.

These will include a new single benefit fraud investigation service, deducting money directly through PAYE, increased asset seizure and tougher one-strike, two-strike and three-strike rules, including three years for people with multiple convictions.

Civil penalties are also being introduced in the form of instant fines for people who negligently give incorrect information on their benefit claim, or don’t tell the Department for Work and Pensions quickly about a change in their circumstances.

Lord Freud, Welfare Reform Minister, said the changes would ?simplify and automate the benefits system to make it less open to abuse and ensure money is going to those who need it the most.?