Fraud/errooorrr in the benefits system

Fraud and Error in the Benefit System: October 2008 to September 2009

For 2009/10, it is estimated that 2.1 per cent, or £3.1bn, of total benefit expenditure was overpaid due to fraud and error.
The estimated percentage of benefit expenditure overpaid has decreased from 2.2 per cent to 2.1 per cent. In value terms, however, due to the increase in benefit expenditure overpayments have risen from £3.0bn to a staggering £3.1bn,

For 2009/10, it is estimated that 0.9 per cent, or £1.3bn, of total benefit expenditure was underpaid due to fraud and error.

In value terms, however, underpayments have risen from £1.2bn to £1.3bn, due to the growth in benefit expenditure.

• Income Support/Jobseeker’s Allowance benefit overpayment is 5.5% in October 2008 – September 2009 The same level as April 2008 to March 2009. However, the value of overpayments has risen from £640m to £700m, due to the forecast increase in benefit expenditure.

• Housing Benefit expenditure overpayment fell from 4.9% in April 2008 to March 2009 to 4.4% in October 2008 to September 2009. The value has decreased from £840m to £820m.

• Pension Credit benefit overpayment has decreased from 5.1% in April 2008 to March 2009 to 4.4% in October 2008 to September 2009, and from £390m down to £350m.

• Incapacity Benefit expenditure overpayment has decreased from 3.4% in April 2008 to March 2009 to 3.3% in October 2008 to September 2009, and from £220m down to £210m.

YOU DO THE MATHS …. seems to me that there are lots of savings that could be made quite easily

Full report…

http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd2/fem/fem_oct08_sep09.pdf