Billions lost through benefits fraud and error staggeringly unfair – Webb

Commenting on Government figures showing that £3bn in benefit expenditure last year was overpaid because of fraud and error, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Steve Webb said:

“The Government’s failure to get to grips with the over-complex benefits system is appalling, especially when so much is down to official error.

“It is staggeringly unfair that the taxpayer is forced to stump up billions of pounds just because officials are unable to administer a system of their own creation.

“The benefits system is crucial to help people in a recession. It cannot afford to lose money because of poor administration.

“The benefits system needs to be much simpler, not least so officials can understand it properly.”