£204,000 benefit cheaters brought to justice

BENEFITS cheats conned the council out of £204,000 in the first half of this year.

A total of 14 people have been prosecuted in the same period — receiving sentences ranging from 140 hours unpaid work to a fine of £200 plus £486 costs.

And one person was given a curfew between 7.30pm and 7am. Another 46 people received a fixed penalty equal to 30 per cent of the amount of housing or council tax benefit they over claimed.

Councillor Lynne Thompson, cabinet member for finance and resources said: “Benefit fraud is a serious issue that the council is committed to dealing with. For many people housing benefit and council tax benefit provides vital support that enables them to live their lives.

“However for a selfish and criminal few it is a way to try and make easy money at the expense of everyone else. We owe it to honest people not to tolerate it.” She said that the council aimed to deal with genuine benefit claims as quickly as possible.

New claimants and those receiving benefits need to report changes in circumstances immediately by calling 0161-770 6633 or e-mailing benefits@oldham.gov.uk