New Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) measures are set to tackle people fraudulently claiming Personal Indepence Payment (PIP) payments each month. It comes after Sir John Hayes, for the Conservative Party in South Holland and The Deepings, spoke out in the Commons.
Mr Hayes reached out “to ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to tackle people fraudulently claiming Personal Independence Payments.” Andrew Western, Labour Party MP for Stretford and Urmston, said: “DWP is committed to tackling fraud and error in the benefits system and to the recovery of debts, including those generated by Personal Independent Payments.
“Working closely with counter fraud experts, the DWP has introduced measures to prevent fraud entering the system based on the types of cases and trends we have seen, for example strengthening the Identity and Verification Process to prevent fraudulent cases entering the system.”
READ MORE Blue Badge holders face £1,000 fine under plan to ‘tackle’ trend
It will also introduce “more rigorous checks for customers changing personal details, including bank accounts,” Mr Western said, as well as “delivering awareness sessions for Case Managers and Healthcare Professionals, reinforcing action to take when suspicious cases are identified, eg fake documents.”
He said: “DWP is delivering against key counter fraud activity, including investing in counter fraud professionals and building data analytical capabilities. The new DWP Fraud, Error and Debt Bill from the government will bring forward new measures to tackle fraud in the system. Details on the measures Government will be legislating will be presented to Parliament in due course.”
Fraud and error in the welfare system currently costs the taxpayer almost £10 billion each year and since the Covid pandemic a total of £35bn has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled to the money, however, it’s important to be aware this also includes criminal gangs, not just benefit claimants.