DWP issues stark benefit warning after woman jailed for 20 months
Nearly 24 million people across Great Britain are currently receiving at least one benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), with a record 8 million now on Universal Credit.
However, as claims continue to surge, the Government has issued a stern warning that benefit fraud will be detected and prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. This follows a Manchester woman being handed a 20-month prison sentence.
The 51-year-old was found guilty of fraudulently pocketing £110,000 in benefits she wasn't entitled to, after failing to inform the DWP of changes to her living situation. It comes after reports DWP state pensioners are set to be given 'extra £352' completely free.
She pleaded guilty to four counts of benefit fraud at Manchester Magistrates Court on 12 August, having dishonestly claimed Job Seeker's Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support between April 2013 and April 2023.
The case came to light following an anonymous tip-off, leading to a joint investigation by the DWP Pensions Regional Investigations team and Manchester City Council, reports Wales Online.
Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western, said: "Our social security system exists to support the most vulnerable in society and those genuinely in need.
"We will continue to take legal action to fight those trying to scam the system and if anyone thinks they can get away with it this case shows that they will be brought to justice.
"Joint working between the DWP and local authorities will protect taxpayers' money while ensuring genuine claimants receive the money they are entitled to."
Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, Executive Member for Finances and Resource for Manchester City Council, added: "We know that in Manchester there are a great number of people who are genuine beneficiaries of the benefit system and put their trust in it to deliver the support they need. For many it has been a lifeline through one of the most difficult economic climates in a generation.
"This case was an example of how the trust inherent in our benefits system was abused for personal gain. I would like to thank our officers for their tireless work to detect this fraud, as well as our colleagues in the DWP for ensuring a successful prosecution."
This prosecution forms part of a broader wave of successful legal action safeguarding public funds in recent months.
In June, a Port Talbot couple were handed suspended prison sentences of between six months and two years after fraudulently claiming £48,517 in Universal Credit whilst hiding their capital assets. A woman from Swansea was convicted the same month for submitting false childcare claims, creating counterfeit invoices to secure payments for costs she hadn't actually incurred.
She was given a six-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with a community service order.
A couple from St Helens were each slapped with two-year prison sentences after fraudulently claiming over £268,000 through offences including bogus Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims and a Local Authority Direct Payment. They used phony identities and claimed Employment Support Allowance as single individuals despite living together.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has stated that these successful prosecutions come as the UK Government is beefing up its ability to combat fraud and identify genuine errors more quickly, via the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill.
This legislation is expected to save taxpayers £1.5 billion over the next five years.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
35 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Scots benefits cheat 'hijacked' identities of 68 people to rake in £170,000
James Stephen Barley made 160 Universal Credit claims over a period of three years. A Scots benefits cheat raked in almost £170,000 in Universal Credit payments by "hijacking" the identity of 68 people. James Stephen Barley, 37, who now has a legitimate job earning £700 per week, has been warned he could be jailed after making almost 160 dishonest benefit claims in three years. Prosecutor Diane Jackson said the defendant, from Paisley used the personal details of "numerous" people to lodge Universal Credit claims, requesting advanced payments. Barley pleaded guilty to three offences at Carlisle's Rickergate court. He admitted fraud by false representation by submitting 157 fake claims to the Department for Work and Pensions when he "hijacked the identity" of others in order to submit claims. He also admitted making articles for use in fraud., including falsified tenancy agreements, mini statements, and bank letters about opened accounts. The final offence he admitted was acquiring criminal property from £169,045 of Universal Credit payments. All three offences were committed between the dates of December 18, 2018, and March 28, 2021. Prosecutor Ms Jackson said the high value of Barley's fraud meant magistrates had insufficient powers to appropriately sentence the defendant. Defence lawyer Geoff Lockerbie said since he was released on police bail, he had been in work and had two treasured dogs. "He would like to put his affairs in order before the inevitable conclusion to this at the crown court," said Mr Lockerbie. "And we can all guess what that inevitable outcome may be. He has had this hanging over his head for 18 months. "He has a good job, with an employer he respects and who respects him. "He hopes to be able to return to that job. He'll be sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on September 9. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
DWP confirms date as bank accounts to be checked
DWP has confirmed the start date for powers it is calling 'the biggest fraud crackdown in a generation' Banks will be ordered to trawl through millions of accounts from April 2026 in a sweeping crackdown designed to root out benefits cheats. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the start date for powers it is calling 'the biggest fraud crackdown in a generation'. The new system, created under the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill, will let banks flag up accounts that appear to breach benefit rules, such as holding more than the £16,000 savings limit for Universal Credit. Officials will not see detailed transactions, but will be alerted if accounts raise suspicions. The DWP claims the scheme will save taxpayers £1.5 billion over five years after losses from benefits fraud and error hit a record £7.4 billion last year. A fact sheet released by ministers stressed: 'Any information shared through the Eligibility Verification Measure will not be shared on the presumption or suspicion that anyone is guilty of any offence.' It insisted the department will not have direct access to people's bank details but banks will be obliged to pass on alerts. At the same time, the law gives the Government tough new powers to recover money from fraudsters, including taking funds directly from bank accounts and, in cases of persistent refusal to repay, banning offenders from driving for up to two years. The measures were unveiled as Labour's Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall attacked the current system. She said: 'The social security system that we inherited from the Conservatives is failing the very people that it is supposed to help and is holding our country back. 'The facts speak for themselves. One in 10 people of working age are now claiming a sickness or disability benefit. Almost one million young people are not in education, employment or training – one in eight of all our young people.' Critics, however, warn the plans risk ushering in 'mass financial surveillance' of claimants and could wrongly penalise vulnerable households. The DWP insists the focus is on clamping down on fraudsters who cost honest taxpayers billions - but campaigners argue the changes mark a dangerous step towards banks acting as watchdogs over private finances. Silkie Carlo, Director, Big Brother Watch, said: 'These powers are a disaster for financial privacy and the presumption of innocence... This is a completely unprecedented regime of intrusive generalised financial surveillance across the population.'
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
DWP confirms when it will start taking payments straight from bank accounts
The new Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill will be introduced from April 2026 and will give the Government power to recover money straight from bank accounts The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed when a major crackdown on benefit cheats will come into force. The new Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill will be introduced from April 2026 and will give the Government power to recover money straight from bank accounts of those who have committed benefit fraud. The DWP will be able to request bank statements of those who are under investigation, but it will not have direct access to bank accounts. There will be new requirements for banks and building societies to flag where there is a potential breach of eligibility rules for benefits. The DWP will also be able to apply to the court to ban people from driving for up to two years. It is hoped the new powers will save taxpayers £1.5billion over five years. The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill forms part of wider government plans to save a total of £8.6billion. An estimated £7.4billion was lost to benefit fraud last year. Other measures include DWP organised crime investigators being allowed to apply to for search warrants to seize evidence against fraudsters, including computers and smartphones. The time limit for civil claims against Covid fraud will also be doubled from six to twelve years. DWP minister Liz Kendall said back in March: "The social security system that we inherited from the Conservatives is failing the very people that it is supposed to help and is holding our country back. "The facts speak for themselves. One in 10 people of working age are now claiming a sickness or disability benefit. Almost one million young people are not in education, employment or training - one in eight of all our young people." In more DWP news, pensioners have been told they have until September 15 to opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300. Winter Fuel Payments are being paid this year to pensioners who were born before September 22, 1959 - but if you earn over £35,000 a year, then your Winter Fuel Payment will be automatically recovered by HMRC. This will be done through PAYE, or through self-assessment return. If you earn over £35,000, then there is an option to opt out of getting your Winter Fuel Payment. You can do this by filling out a form on or by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre by post or telephone. The income eligibility is based per person. You can check if your Winter Fuel Payment will be clawed back by HMRC on this page.
