{"id":70721,"date":"2016-05-19T13:34:22","date_gmt":"2016-05-19T13:34:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=65ede57b1489381943486160777e7589"},"modified":"2016-05-19T13:34:22","modified_gmt":"2016-05-19T13:34:22","slug":"press-release-benefit-fraud-and-error-at-record-low-level","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=70721","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Benefit fraud and error at record low level"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Overall fraud and error stayed at 1.8% with claimant and official error both falling to record lows.<\/p>\n

Dedicated investigators work hard to pursue and prosecute those who try to defraud the system. Last year \u00a3980 million of taxpayers money was recovered \u2013 the highest amount ever and \u00a350 million more than the previous year.<\/p>\n

Welfare Reform Minister, Lord Freud, said:<\/p>\n

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Benefit fraud is a serious crime taking money away from those in genuine need. That\u2019s why our investigators work tirelessly to target criminals and bring them to justice.<\/p>\n

We are implementing vital reforms to improve detection, prevention and recovery to protect taxpayers money. The fact that fraud and error is at a record low reflects that work.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Last year we referred over 5,000 people for prosecution for fraud and issued nearly 8,000 penalties.<\/p>\n

To strengthen the fight against fraud and error in the benefit system, the government:<\/p>\n