Government Detects £26.4m Housing Fraud
Over 7,000 individuals ineligible for social housing have been discovered trying to manipulate their way onto waiting lists in the UK, according to Trending In The News. Since 2020, government anti-fraud measures have identified £26.4 million worth of housing fraud.
Benefit Cheats Detected on Council House Waiting Lists
A staggering 7,392 benefit cheats were identified on council house waiting lists, with 74 of them managing to secure social housing illegally, occupying spaces meant for genuinely needy families. This revelation comes as queues for English council homes surpass one million.
Government's Response
Cabinet Office Minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe emphasized the importance of cracking down on housing fraud, stating that the data analysis work is a victory for taxpayers and helps free up social housing for those in genuine need. Mark Cheeseman, chief executive of the Public Sector Fraud Authority, highlighted the use of advanced data analytics tools to prevent fraud and protect taxpayers' money.
Plans are in place to expand these efforts to involve more local authorities and housing associations in the fight against fraudulent activity in the social housing sector.
