{"id":77054,"date":"2016-12-08T15:43:44","date_gmt":"2016-12-08T15:43:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=16125bf793248fef3f42a29c2263f28e"},"modified":"2016-12-08T15:43:44","modified_gmt":"2016-12-08T15:43:44","slug":"press-release-recovery-of-overpaid-benefits-hits-record-high-of-1-billion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=77054","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Recovery of overpaid benefits hits record high of \u00a31 billion"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Overall fraud and error is lower than it was in 2010 at 1.9% compared to 2.1% and overpayments due to official error and claimant error have hit a record low of just 0.3% and 0.5% respectively.<\/p>\n

Dedicated investigators work hard to pursue and prosecute those who try to defraud the system. Last year alone, around 5,000 people were prosecuted for benefit fraud, with a further 6,000 administrative penalties handed down.<\/p>\n

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

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We will not tolerate fraud and will pursue those who try to cheat the system.<\/p>\n

We have strengthened penalties and powers to combat fraud and error in the benefit system and are introducing reforms, such as Universal Credit, which will reduce fraud and error and is expected to save \u00a31 billion when fully rolled out.<\/p>\n

Many deserving people rely on benefits when hard times hit, so it\u2019s vital we stop those who try to divert funds away from them and maintain a system that is fair to those who use it and those who pay for it.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

To strengthen the fight against fraud and error in the benefit system, since 2010, the government has:<\/p>\n