Public Sector

The Department for Work and Pensions has been told to tighten up loopholes in Universal Credit that are being exploited by fraudsters. The Public Accounts Committee called for full checks to be reinstated as it raised doubts about whether Universal Credit was any improvement on older 'legacy benefits' in terms of preventing bogus claims.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/dwp-told-tighten-up-universal-29079963

Lancashire police have said they are ‘reviewing the available information’ after receiving a complaint about the Fylde MP.

Lawyers told the Conservative Party that MP Mark Menzies’ alleged misuse of campaign funds may have constituted fraud, but there was no duty to report it, a whistleblower has claimed.

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2024/04/19/tories-were-told-mark-menzies-claims-constituted-fraud-says-whistleblower/

Joshua Reddaway, director of fraud and propriety at the National Audit Office, considers lessons from two recent NAO reports where fraud was found in schemes delivered through others.

It’s a simple question and vital for our role at the National Audit Office in holding government to account for how well it manages fraud and error.

https://www.civilserviceworld.com/in-depth/article/who-is-responsible-for-preventing-fraud-and-error

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) boss has said investigators will continue to 'hunt down’ and convict people committing benefit fraud. Five people who stole £53.9 million through fabricated benefit claims have been brought to justice in England and Wales’ largest benefit fraud case.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/dwp-vows-down-people-fraud-092444774.html

New council chief wants to show ‘how every pound given by the taxpayer is being used’

The new joint chief executive for Waverley and Guildford borough councils said he wants no financial “surprises” and to “draw a line under” the fraud investigation into the latter authority.

https://www.farnhamherald.com/news/waverley-and-guildford-councils-new-ceo-wants-to-draw-a-line-under-fraud-investigation-677716

Police investigating allegations of fraud at Guildford Borough Council have arrested a man in his 50s.

The investigation, led by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU), was launched after a £18.5 million overspend on two housing contracts came to light.

Plans to use AI to check millions of bank accounts have been warned are a "step too far". The proposals are aimed at tracking down fraudsters and benefit claimants who have been paid too much

However campaigners have raised serious concerns over the plans which will seek people to have either claimed too much or who have been mistakenly overpaid. More than 40 organisations including Disability Rights UK and Age UK say the Government should scrap the plans.

At the NAO we are making it our business to invest in how we help and hold government to account for fighting fraud. Billions of pounds are at stake here. So it’s an absolutely critical issue.

https://www.civilserviceworld.com/in-depth/article/delving-under-the-surface-how-government-can-save-billions-by-tackling-fraud-and-error

A care company director has been jailed for defrauding her local council's Covid-19 response fund by submitting false invoices.

Caroline Hunt, 54, who ran Hunt Healthcare Group, submitted £151,000 in fraudulent invoices to Essex County Council between May and October 2020.

A council has made a High Court "fraud" claim against a businessman and a firm he ran.

Thurrock Council was left with debts of more than £1bn after a series of investments largely in solar farms.

A council spokesman said proceedings had been issued against Liam Kavanagh and Rockfire Capital.