The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned benefit claimants that fraud will be pursued to the full extent of the law after a Manchester woman was jailed for 20 months for illegally claiming more than £110,000.
The 51-year-old, who admitted four counts of benefit fraud, failed to declare changes in her living circumstances and continued to receive Job Seeker’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support between April 2013 and April 2023.
Her case came to light following an anonymous tip-off, which triggered a joint investigation between the DWP’s Pensions Regional Investigations team and Manchester City Council.
At Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 12 August, she pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 months in prison.
Legal actions to be taken against fraud
Andrew Western, Minister for Transformation, said “our social security system exists to support the most vulnerable.
“We will continue to take legal action against those who try to cheat the system. If anyone thinks they can get away with it, this case proves they will be brought to justice.”
Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Finance and Resources, added that for many, benefits are a lifeline through one of the toughest economic periods in a generation. This individual abused that trust for personal gain. I want to thank our officers and DWP colleagues for their work in securing this conviction.”
However, the DWP highlighted that this case forms part of a growing number of prosecutions protecting taxpayers’ money.
Recall in June, a Port Talbot couple received suspended sentences for fraudulently claiming £48,517 in Universal Credit while concealing their savings.
That same month, a Swansea woman was convicted for submitting fake childcare invoices, receiving a suspended six-month sentence, and a community service order.
Also, in St Helens, a couple were jailed for two years each after fraudulently claiming more than £268,000 through false PIP applications and fake identities.
The government says it is strengthening fraud detection under the new Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill, expected to save taxpayers £1.5 billion over the next five years.
Currently, around 24 million people in Great Britain receive at least one benefit, including a record 8 million Universal Credit claimants. In Greater Manchester alone, an estimated 145,000 individuals receive Universal Credit, many while in work.
The DWP insists genuine claimants will continue to receive the support they are entitled to — but has made clear that fraud will not be tolerated.
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