Express & Star

Walsall benefit cheats claim £700,000 in a year

More than 140 suspected benefits cheats in Walsall illegally claimed almost £700,000 in just 12 months, it has been revealed.

Published

The false council tax and housing benefit claims were discovered up to the end of the 2014 financial year, a report to Walsall Council has shown.

There were 141 housing and council tax benefit fraud cases identified totalling £689,570. Of these, in 22 cases, the fraud value amounted individually to more than £10,000.

However, this has fallen from 190 cases, with a value of £867,991 in 2012/13 and 192 cases worth £840,723 in 2011/12.

Rory Borealis, executive director for resources at Walsall Council, said: "Our benefits system is there for those who really need help, it is not there to be abused. Each pound lost to fraud reduces the ability of the council to fund public services.

"We will not tolerate anyone who tries to 'play the system' or who fails to declare changes to their circumstances.

"We have a proactive fraud investigation team who are committed to ensuring these people are brought to justice before the courts."

A report from chief finance officer James Walsh said: "Where fraud or corruption is detected, robust action is always taken against the perpetrators.

"The council takes seriously its responsibilities in ensuring effective control arrangements are in place and in dealing with reported allegations of fraud and corruption.

"This offers protection to the council and its officers and provides an assurance to stakeholders and citizens regarding the security of the council's operations."

The figures were presented in a report to the council's audit committee. It said in the past five years, councils have shifted their focus from benefit fraud to non-benefit fraud. From 2016, they will no longer deal with benefit fraud.

Last year an award-winning Walsall guitarist was caught performing on TV with former X Factor stars JLS while claiming almost £23,000 in benefits he was not entitled to.

Joseph Ross, who was paid for his services by the X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing and Sony Entertainment, was told he must hand back the money and was given a suspended prison sentence.

The 44-year-old was caught by investigators after a video of him playing his guitar during a performance by JLS on ITV2's Xtra Factor was seen online.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.