Council fraud team saves £1.1m by clamping down on system abuse and benefits cheats

Swansea Council says the impressive figure highlights its efforts against those who misuse public funds, with the fraud team uncovering significant overpayments and fraudulent claims.

Almost £470,000 was identified in social housing overpayments, alongside a similar sum in housing and welfare benefits, according to the council’s latest report.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, stressed the vital importance of ensuring that the millions of pounds of public money spent on services every year reaches those who truly need it.

He issued a clear warning that the council would take firm action against fraud wherever it is found.

“Among local authorities in Wales our fraud team has helped lead the way in seeking out, detecting and acting in cases of fraud,” Cllr Stewart stated.

He believes the counter-fraud team’s proactive approach has established a strong deterrent effect on would-be fraudsters.

The council’s ongoing work to tackle fraud is detailed in the counter-fraud team’s half-yearly report, which is being presented to the Governance and Audit committee this week.

The report also noted a low number of internal fraud claims within the council itself.

Only nine cases of internal fraud were reported among a workforce exceeding 11,000 employees.

Four of these cases have already been concluded, with five remaining under active investigation.

Cllr Stewart acknowledged that fraud is a widespread issue in society, and councils, like other organisations, are targets.

He noted that both individuals and more organised criminal elements attempt to defraud public services.

“This half-year report shows Swansea Council is not a soft touch and we will challenge fraud wherever we find it, aiming to bring to justice those engaged in such practices,” Cllr Stewart declared.

The council’s robust efforts aim to ensure that every penny of the millions spent on services annually is protected for legitimate use.

Residents are encouraged to report any suspected fraudulent activity to the council.

Council uncovers over £1m in fraud by people claiming cash or services they weren’t entitled to

The authority’s counter‑fraud team investigated 405 allegations in 2024/25 — up from 383 the previous year — ranging from tenants subletting council homes to fraudulent claims for benefits, council tax relief and misuse of blue badge parking permits.

More than £700,000 of the total savings came from tackling social housing fraud, with the remainder linked to overpayments of housing and welfare benefits and council tax.

Council leader Rob Stewart said the figures showed Swansea was “not a soft touch” for fraudsters.

“Among local authorities in Wales our fraud team helped lead the way in seeking out, detecting and acting in cases of fraud,” he said. “Our counter‑fraud team’s approach had a clear deterrent effect on would‑be fraudsters. We will challenge fraud wherever we find it, aiming to bring to justice those engaged in such practices.”

The annual report, which goes before the council’s Governance and Audit Committee this week, also shows a fall in internal fraud allegations. Thirteen cases were reported among a workforce of more than 11,000, down from the previous year. Ten have been concluded — one resulting in dismissal — while three remain under investigation.

The council says one factor behind the rise in overall reports is the introduction of an online tool making it easier for residents to flag suspected fraud.

Cllr Stewart added: “Fraud is something that happens in society in general and, like other organisations, councils are targets both by individuals and by more organised criminals. It is vital that public money reaches those who genuinely need it.”

#benefitFraud #CllrRobStewart #CouncilTax #fraud #socialHousing #socialHousingFraud #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil

-> The issue is so bad, Government is creating new team to investigate, aiming to save £350m and stop this blatant fraud!

#BenefitCuts #ChildBenefit #BenefitFraud

Why is the government obsessed with benefit fraud?
https://eastangliabylines.co.uk/business/finance/why-is-the-government-obsessed-with-benefit-fraud/

#TaxFraud
#BenefitFraud

Always remember that when the government introduce tough new measures to combat benefit fraud (something mostly done by People Who Are Not Like Us) without introducing equivalent methods to combat tax fraud (which costs more, but mostly done by People Who Are Like Us), it's not about saving the government's money, it's about entrenching the privilege of People Who Are Like Us

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg9px4q0y6o

#RedTories #ClassWar #BenefitFraud #TaxFraud #LizKendall

I've just been doing a #YouGov survey about #UK #benefits. Whilst the poll is still live, so this is not final, 41% of respondents so far are worried about #BenefitFraud. You know, the thing even the #DWP basically thinks is not a thing.

Well done politicians and media at setting citizen against citizen!

Will they do this for the Rich too?
Of course not.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/sep/24/labours-benefit-crackdown-would-allow-officials-to-access-bank-accounts

#UKPOL #Ukpolitics #Labour #BenefitFraud