Council begins campaign to tackle benefit cheats
Telford & Wrekin Council has today launched a campaign that will put benefit cheats on edge as members of the public are being asked to report anyone they suspect of claiming benefits they are not entitled to.
Benefit fraud was thought to cost the UK an estimated £1.1 billion in 2013/14; money which could be better used to protect essential services at a time where funding cuts continue to impact heavily on local authorities, not least Telford & Wrekin.
The Council wants to hear from people who suspect anyone of fraudulently claiming Council Tax Support and/or Single Person Discount.
Councillor Lee Carter, cabinet member for Finance and Service Delivery, said: “Cheating the benefits system is an unacceptable crime. The Council pays out thousands every year to people, who either intentionally or accidentally in some cases, are claiming money they are not entitled to.
“And with further funding cuts of over £30 million during the next three years, we can’t afford to sit back and let money be paid to people who shouldn’t have it.
“We are putting a clear message out there to anyone claiming benefits fraudulently that we are looking for them, and more importantly we are asking members of the public to look for them and report them.
“If you’re an honest person, these dishonest claimants are taking money from your pockets for their own use.
“Let’s get this money back into the system where it can be used to protect vital services which everyone, including the cheats themselves, rely on.”
