Crime Solicitors

Wigan Council has announced that its crackdown on benefit fraud has so far saved the taxpayer more than £300,000 in the last year.

According to the council annual audit report discussed at an audit, governance and improvement review committee on Thursday (07/07/16), the figures reflect Wigan council’s achievements over the last 12 months in tackling fraud – and the report also identifies areas for improvement.

The council’s proactive approach in tackling fraud has led to savings of almost half-a-million as a result of a crackdown on fraudulent benefit claims and a reduction in errors.

In total, the council managed to identify savings of £334,977.36 through errors or fraudulent claims involving housing benefit, council tax benefit, Blue Badge abuse, housing rents and personal budgets. A total of 513 cases of fraud or benefit error were proven.

The figures show that, between April 2015 to March 2016, four people were prosecuted for housing benefit fraud, a total of 12 were issued with penalties – and another 27 cases were proven, with those involved ordered to repay any monies overpaid or wrongly claimed.

Wigan Council says that a total of 50 council tax reduction overpayments were identified and will be repaid – saving the council an additional £20,274.13.

In addition, 66 investigations into alleged Blue Badge fraud/abuse were proven, with 47 issued with warning letters issued, a total of 57 Blue Badges destroyed and eight formal cautions issued – saving taxpayers in Wigan a total of £33,000.

As part of the report, the council has identified a number of areas to focus on to save money – including sickness absence, personal budgets and project management.

Deputy chief executive at Wigan Council, Paul McKevitt, is responsible for ensuring the council’s finances are in order.

Commenting on the new figures, Mr McKevitt said:

“This report allows us to see how we’re performing against targets – and helps us to see where we should focus our efforts to achieve maximum potential savings.”

Chair of Wigan Council’s governance and improvement review committee, Councillor Carl Sweeney, added:

“I’d like to thank the audit team for all their hard work in helping to save the council and its taxpayers’ money, by identifying errors and improving the council’s performance.

“I hope this sends a strong message to those committing fraud – and deters them from ripping off the local taxpayer.”

Duncan Lewis Benefit Fraud Solicitors

Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving benefit fraud, including benefit fraud allegations involving:

• Bedroom Tax
• Blue Badge fraud
• Child Tax Credits
• Council Tax relief
• Disability Living Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credits
• PIP
• Universal Credit
• Working Tax Credits.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities – and Duncan Lewis can advise at the start of an investigation into benefit fraud, including attending interview under caution with the DWP or local authority fraud teams.

For expert legal advice on benefit fraud charges, call Duncan Lewis benefit fraud solicitors on 0333 772 0409.