Public Sector

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a plan to stop billions of pounds being lost in benefits fraud and error. The new drive will widen powers to include executing warrants, search and seizure of evidence, and even making arrests.

A total of 8,691 investigations into alleged benefit fraud were opened by the DWP up to the end of March 2023. It comes as more than 20 million people across the UK claim some form of benefit from the department, including Universal Credit and the state pension.

Ashfield District Council Leader Jason Zadrozny has been charged by police with fraud, money laundering, tax and possession of cocaine.

Mr Zadrozny, aged 42, of Sutton Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, faces 12 counts of fraud by false representation, five counts of money laundering, four counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of income tax, and one count of possession of a Class A drug.

A new DWP fraud plan could see Universal Credit claims investigated. It is set to recruit 1,000 new agents to identify errors in existing Universal Credit claims.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/uk-world-news/new-dwp-fraud-plan-could-27116041

The Insolvency Service has secured the winding-up of 11 companies, one of which claimed to be registered in Shropshire, for their part in a scheme which orchestrated systematic fraud against UK taxpayers during the covid-19 pandemic.

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2074876-network-of-fake-companies-shut-down-following-bounce-back-loan-fraud

The Government is still being “too slow” to recover taxpayer money lost to fraud and error over the pandemic, MPs have said.

https://www.ayradvertiser.com/news/national/23569465.government-too-slow-recoup-taxpayer-money-lost-covid-fraud-error/

struggling college student who set himself up as a £300-a-time 'exam cheat for hire' so he could illegally sit driving theory tests on behalf of learner drivers has been jailed.

Olivier Yolo, 27, agreed to fraudulently take theory tests for cash at a series of DVSA centres across the the north of England, including in Bolton and Stockport, for learners who were due to take them feared they would fail.

The new team will stress test public sector fraud defences

The Cabinet Office announced the launch of a new specialist fraud squad, otherwise known as the Risk, Threat and Prevention Service, to help combat fraud in public services on 24 May, which will be led by the Public Sector Fraud Authority. The establishment of a new fraud squad is part of the government’s £1bn plan to reduce fraud against the public sector.

https://www.solicitorsjournal.com/sjarticle/government-launches-new-fraud-squad-to-combat-fraud-in-public-services

A former hospital manager has been jailed for 11 years for his part in a "sophisticated" fraud which cost the NHS more than £600,000.

https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2023-05-29/nhs-manager-jailed-for-600k-fraud-and-bribery-scam

Cabinet Office permanent secretary Alex Chisholm has told MPs a National Audit Office report suggesting that some officials are “reluctant” to pursue fraud and corruption cases because of reputational damage to their departments is at odds with his personal experience.

https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/chisholm-insists-officials-arent-reluctant-to-tackle-fraud-and-corruption

A businessman from Stanmore has been sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to fraud by abusing the Bounce Back Loan scheme.

https://harrowonline.org/2023/05/17/man-from-stanmore-convicted-of-fraud/