Latest news with #RabnawazAkbar
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
DWP gives warning to millions of Brits as woman jailed for £110,000 fraud
The Department for Work and Pensions has issued a stark warning to 24 million people in the UK following a ten-year campaign of fraud that has led to a woman falsely claiming £110,000 from the governement The number of people are currently receiving at least one benefit from the government has reached 24 million, with a record-breaking eight million people now on Universal Credit. But the government has now issued a stark warning following a rise in claims that benefit fraud will now be detected and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The stern warning comes after a Manchester woman was sentenced to 20 months in prison. The 51-year-old was found guilty of pocketing £110,000 in benefits she wasn't entitled to after she failed to tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that her living situation had changed. She pleaded guilty to four counts of benefit fraud at Manchester Magistrates' Court on August 12 having falsely claiming Job Seeker's Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support between 2013 and 2023. It comes as DWP confirms new Winter Fuel Payment deadline with pensioners urged to act now. The case came to light after an anonymous tip which prompted a joint investigation by the DWP Pensions Regional Investigations team along with Manchester City Council, the Manchester Evening News reports. Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western, said following the legal case: "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." The case forms part of a broader trend of successful prosecutions safeguarding taxpayers' money in recent months. In June, a couple from Port Talbot were handed suspended prison sentences ranging from six months to two years after claiming £48,517 in Universal Credit payments whilst failing to declare their capital assets. During the same month, a woman from Swansea was found guilty after making fraudulent childcare claims, uploading fabricated invoices to claim childcare costs she never incurred. She was given a 6-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to carry out unpaid work. A couple from St Helens received two-year prison sentences each after fraudulently obtaining more than £268,000 through offences including bogus Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims and a Local Authority Direct Payment, using false identities, whilst also claiming Employment Support Allowance as a single person despite living together. The DWP stated these successful prosecutions arrive as the UK Government strengthens its capacity to combat fraud and detect genuine mistakes more quickly, through the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill. The Bill will save taxpayers £1.5 billion over the next five years.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
DWP crackdown on benefit fraud as woman jailed for wrongly claiming £110,000
The UK Government has issued a stern warning that benefit fraud will be detected and prosecuted to the full extent of the law, following the sentencing of a Manchester woman to 20 months in prison 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-breaking eight million people now claiming Universal Credit. However, the UK Government has delivered a stark warning that benefit fraud will be uncovered and prosecuted to the full extent of the law, following the sentencing of a Manchester woman to 20 months behind bars. The 51 year old woman was found guilty of stealing £110,000 in benefits she wasn't entitled to after failing to inform the DWP of changes to her living circumstances. Meanwhile, the Mirror reports of ' state pensioners could lose DWP payments after 'unfair' £10,000 rule '. The woman admitted guilt to four counts of benefit fraud at Manchester Magistrates Court on August 12, having dishonestly claimed Job Seeker's Allowance; Employment Support Allowance; Housing Benefit; and Council Tax Support between April 2013 and April 2023. The case emerged following an anonymous tip-off, which triggered a joint investigation by the DWP Pensions Regional Investigations team and Manchester City Council, reports the Express. Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western, stated: "Our social security system exists to support the most vulnerable in society and those genuinely in need". He added that they "will continue to take legal action to fight those trying to scam the system" and warned that "if anyone thinks they can get away with it, this case shows that they will be brought to justice". The minister stated: "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, shared: "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". Akbar continued: "This case was an example of how the trust inherent in our benefits system was abused for personal gain". The councillor added his thanks to the "officers for their tireless work to detect this fraud, as well as colleagues in the DWP for ensuring a successful prosecution". The prosecution forms part of a wider pattern of successful court cases protecting public funds in recent months. One such example was made in June, where a couple from Port Talbot received suspended jail terms ranging from six months to two years after stealing £48,517 in Universal Credit whilst hiding their capital assets. During the same month, a woman from Swansea was convicted after submitting bogus childcare claims by uploading fake invoices to claim childcare costs she had never actually paid. She received a six-month prison sentence, which was suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to carry out unpaid work. Additionally, a couple from St Helens have each been handed two-year prison sentences after fraudulently claiming over £268,000 through offences, including false Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims and a Local Authority Direct Payment. This was carried out using fake identities, as well as claiming Employment Support Allowance as a single person despite cohabiting. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has stated that these successful prosecutions come as the UK Government is strengthening its ability to fight fraud and identify genuine errors even sooner, through the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill. This Bill is expected to save taxpayers £1.5 billion over the next five years.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
DWP confirms legal action to fight people trying to cheat the benefits system
The UK Government has sent a clear message that benefit fraud will be detected and pursued to the full extent of the law. Nearly 24 million people across Great Britain are in receipt of at least one benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) with a record-high of 8m now claiming Universal Credit. However, the UK Government has sent a clear message that benefit fraud will be detected and pursued to the full extent of the law after a woman from Manchester was sentenced to 20 months in prison. The 51-year-old pocketed £110,000 of benefits she was not entitled to after failing to declare to DWP that she no longer lived alone. The woman admitted four counts of benefit fraud at Manchester Magistrates Court on August 12 after falsely claiming Job Seeker's Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support between April 2013 and April 2023. The case emerged following an anonymous tip-off, prompting a joint investigation by the DWP Pensions Regional Investigations team and Manchester City Council. 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.' The case forms part of a wider pattern of successful prosecutions protecting taxpayer's money in recent months. In June, a couple from Port Talbot received suspended prison sentences ranging from six months to two years after claiming £48,517 in Universal Credit payments while failing to declare their capital assets. In the same month, a woman from Swansea was convicted after making false childcare claims, uploading fake invoices to claim childcare costs she never incurred. She received a 6-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to carry out unpaid work. A couple from St Helens landed two years each in prison after fraudulently claiming over £268,000 for offences including false Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims and a Local Authority Direct Payment, by using fake identities, as well as claiming Employment Support Allowance as a single person despite cohabitating. The DWP said these successful prosecutions come as the UK Government is strengthening its ability to fight fraud and identify genuine errors even sooner, through the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill. The Bill will save the taxpayer £1.5 billion over the next five years. To tackle fraud and error in the benefits system further the UK Government has brought forward the biggest fraud crackdown in a generation, part of wider plans that the OBR estimated will save £9.6 billion by 2030. This means taxpayer's money can be invested in public services as part of the government's Plan for Change. You can anonymously report suspected benefit fraud online at by phone, or by post. DWP urges people to include as much detail as possible about the person and the type of fraud you suspect. Change of circumstances you need to report to DWP DWP guidance on states you need to report changes in your circumstances so that you keep getting the right amount each month. It adds you need to report changes 'as soon as they happen' because any delay 'may mean you receive too much money and will have to make a repayment'. DWP warns: 'Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you're paid for your whole assessment period - not just from the date you report them.' Changes can include: Finding a job Finishing a job Having a child Moving in with your partner Starting to care for a child Starting to care for a disabled person Your child stopping or restarting education or training, if they're aged 16 to 19 Changing your mobile number Changing your email address Moving to a new address Going outside Great Britain for any length of time, if you live there Going outside Northern Ireland for any length of time, if you live there Changing your bank details Your rent going up or down Changes to your health condition Becoming too ill to work or meet your work coach Changes to your earnings (only if you're self-employed) Changes to your savings, investments and how much money you have Changes to your immigration status, if you're not a British citizen How to report a change DWP advises that claimants can report a change of circumstances by signing in to their online Universal Credit account. If you get a job or increase the hours you work Use a benefits calculator or speak with your work coach to find out how getting a job or an increase in your earnings might affect your Universal Credit claim. Most employers will report your earnings for you. You will normally only need to report monthly earnings if you are self-employed. If you have been paid too much by DWP You may have to repay the money if you: did not report a change straight away gave wrong information were overpaid by mistake Full details about benefit overpayments can be found on here.
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Thousands expected to gather for Manchester's Eid in the Park
Thousands of people are expected to come together for prayers and to celebrate Eid at an event taking place across the in the Park, is taking place at Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield and is one of the biggest celebrations of Eid-al-Adha in Manchester. It runs until Sunday 20:00 organiser Hasan Hasan said the celebrations would include picnics in the park and a ul-Adha is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. "It's going to be amazing," Hasan said, adding that it would be "a big celebration".He said they usually had around 20,000 people prayers were moved to indoor five-a-side football pitches inside Manchester City's former training ground at Platt Fields, which will provide a place to shelter due to the Hasan said once the event finishes celebrations would continue at various restaurants on Wilmslow Road, known as Curry Mile, in councillor Rabnawaz Akbar said: "In the Islamic faith over the year we have two main celebration days. One is Eid-al-Fitr. That is after the month of fasting, Ramadan. The second one happens about ten weeks later - Eid-al-Adha, and that's happening today."It's a day where families want to get together, friends want to get together and neighbours want to get together."He said the prayer normally took place outside but the weather meant they had to resort to their back-up plan of using the sports complex, with volunteers giving up their time to put out prayer mats."This event wouldn't go ahead without the volunteers," he said food played an important part in the celebrations and people would be bringing food from cuisines all over the world for the picnics later. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Eid in the Park 2025: Thousands turn out as Muslim community sees out Ramadan in 'successful' Eid celebrations
Thousands from the Manchester Muslim community gathered to celebrate the end of Ramadan. One of the biggest Eid celebrations in the country, Eid in the Park took place at Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield on Sunday morning (March 30). According to organisers, around 20,000 people attended this year's event which involved a huge prayer, food stalls and a fun fair on site. Also known as the 'festival of breaking the fast' Eid-al-Fitr is the festival held once Ramadan is complete. It is commemorated with prayer, gift giving and sharing huge feasts with family and friends. Eid arrives after 30 days which has seen practising Muslims abstain from eating or drinking from sunset to sundown. The date of Eid is determined by the sighting of the crescent of a new moon and attendees to Eid in the Park had to wait until late afternoon on Saturday to find out when the major event will be taking place. After officials in Saudi Arabia confirmed that the first day of Eid would be on Sunday, organisers confirmed plans for the celebrations to go ahead in Manchester. Thousands of families and friends turned up to Platt Fields Park, dressed in their best clothes and many carrying their own prayer mats to be laid out on the grass for the prayer. One of those was Rehma Shabani, this was the mum-of-three's first time at Eid in Park, she told the M.E.N: "We usually pray at home but this is the first time here. "It was beautiful and had a lovely atmosphere. I wish I was able to come more often." Another attendee, who preferred to remain anonymous told the M.E.N: "It's wonderful to always come out here and share this moment with other fellow Muslims. It's a great event and one we always looked forward to every Ramadan." Speaking about what Ramadan was like this year, another worshipper said: "Ramadan wasn't hard like other years because the times to break fast were a bit more normal. But it was still a beautiful time to fast with friends, family and all the Muslim community." There was only one prayer scheduled for 9am and planners and volunteers were desperate to make sure proceedings went ahead on time. The Holy Trinity Platt Church nearby would also be conducting a Sunday service and the timings agreed to avoid any clashes between the two events. Once the prayer concluded, a majority of worshippers stuck around the park to enjoy the rest of the day as the grey skies subsided and the sun came out. READ MORE: In pictures: Thousands turn out for Manchester Eid celebrations Speaking to the M.E.N, co-organiser and local councillor, Rabnawaz Akbar said: ' Another successful Eid in the Park, with early estimates putting the numbers at around 20,000. "Once again, we saw Muslims from all ethnicities coming together from across the city as families, friends, neighbours or colleagues to pray Eid outdoors in Platt Fields Park, a tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). "The weather has allowed families and friends to enjoy food together in the park before the fun fair opens at 11am for the first of three days. "I would like to thank the organisers, Manchester City Council staff and the amazing number of young volunteers who make the event not only successful but an enjoyable experience for all attending.'
