Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Food inflation – Chief Secretary meets sector representatives [May 2023]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 11 May 2023.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen, spoke to supermarket representatives this afternoon (11 May) regarding food prices in the UK. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury listened to the views of the sector about the drivers of food inflation and agreed that industry will continue to engage with senior government ministers on the matter and its impact on consumers.

The Government understands the concern among the British public about the current level of food prices and their impact on household budgets, which is why halving inflation this year is a top priority. To support households with the impact of rising prices, we are delivering one of the most generous cost-of-living packages in Europe – worth £3,300 per household on average over this year and last. This includes targeted support for the most vulnerable worth £900 for people on means-tested benefits, support with energy bills and uprating benefits by over 10%.

17/05/2023

PRESS RELEASE : Government extends £2 bus fare cap and protects vital services [May 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 17 May 2023.

Additional funding will help passengers save money on fares and support vulnerable bus routes.

£2 bus fare extended until 31 October to help passengers with cost of living and then £2.50 until November 2024
new £300 million government investment will protect bus services into 2025 and keep travel affordable
funding boost will support the bus sector’s long-term recovery, taking total investment for buses to more than £3.5 billion since March 2020

Millions of passengers across England will continue to ‘Get Around for £2’ and access vital bus services thanks to £500 million in government funding, supporting people with the cost of living and ensuring long-term stability in the sector.

The Transport Secretary Mark Harper today (17 May 2023) confirmed £300 million to protect vital routes and improve services until 2025 that people rely on for work, education, medical appointments and shopping.

To help people with cost of living pressures and save on everyday travel costs, the government will also provide up to £200 million to continue capping single bus fares at £2 outside London until the end of October 2023 and then at £2.50 until 30 November 2024 – when the government will review their effectiveness and future bus fares.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimates that inflation will be halved by the end of this year, and capping fares at £2.50 until November 2024 will create longer-term certainty for bus users over the next year. The fare cap will be reviewed ahead of November 2024.

The move is an essential part of the government’s Help for Households initiative to support everyone through the increased cost of living, and will particularly benefit those on lower incomes who take nearly 3 times as many bus trips than those on higher incomes.

During the pandemic, bus usage dropped as low as 10% of pre-pandemic levels and, while passenger levels have recovered to around 85 to 90%, the fare cap aims to encourage people back on the bus, which can help reduce congestion and emissions.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

By extending the £2 fare cap, we’re making sure bus travel remains accessible and affordable for everyone while helping to ease cost of living pressures.

Buses connect our communities and play a vital role in growing the economy; they transport people to work, take our kids to school and make sure patients can get to doctors’ appointments.

That’s why we’re determined to protect local routes and encourage more people onto the bus, ensuring people can get around easily and in an affordable way.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

Taking the bus is the most popular form of public transport and millions of people rely on these vital services every day.

That’s why we’re investing half a billion pounds to help people save money amid cost of living pressures and continue to level up transport in all parts of the country, doing our bit to help halve inflation and grow the economy.

Graham Vidler, CEO of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said:

We welcome this 2-year funding settlement. It shows a recognition of the value of buses to the economy and to local communities. It will enable bus operators and local authorities to plan, promote and grow services with greater confidence.

However, the combination of the funding settlement and the £2 fare cap extension will not save every service in every part of the country. Operators and local authorities will now work together to study the detail of the government’s proposals and ensure that the funding is used to safeguard the best possible network for local passengers.

Some of the biggest savings on the longest routes up and down the country thanks to the fare cap include:

Journey	Normal fare	Amount saved	% saving
Lancaster to Kendal	£14.50	£12.50	86%
Plymouth to Exeter	£11.20	£9.20	82%
Newcastle to Middlesbrough	£8.00	£6.00	75%
Hull to York	£8.50	£6.50	76%
Leeds to Scarborough	£15.00	£13.00	87%

While initially introduced only as a temporary measure, we are extending the £2 fare cap for the second time to continue helping people save money on travel. Since it started on 1 January this year, the £2 fare has encouraged more people to use the bus.

Operators such as Go-Ahead have carried more than 16 million passengers at £2 since 1 January 2023, helping them save on average a third off fares. Bus operators that are continuing the £2 fare cap scheme will be confirmed in due course.

The additional funding announced today will be shared between local transport authorities and bus operators to protect and improve routes across England and demonstrates our commitment to returning bus sector to a long-term sustainable financial footing. The new funding models will protect vulnerable routes while allowing local authorities and operators to determine the routes that work for local areas.

This builds on over 3 years’ worth of government support totalling over £2 billion to help the sector recover from the pandemic, and more than £1 billion to support local authorities deliver their long-term local plans to improve services.

As part of the £300 million to support services until 2025, £160 million will be provided to local transport authorities to improve fares, services and infrastructure while £140 million will go directly to operators to help protect essential services across England.

While it is the responsibility of bus operators and local transport authorities to ensure an adequate provision of bus routes, the government continues to work closely with the sector to support local areas in dealing with changing travel patterns while managing pressures on the taxpayer.

This latest funding is part of a multi-billion holistic programme of government support for the bus sector. In 2021, the government published the National Bus Strategy and asked all English local transport authorities outside London to set out their bus service improvement plans (BSIPs) explaining their local visions for the step-change in bus services that are needed to put passengers back at the heart of the network.

Since then, over £1 billion has been awarded to 34 counties, city regions and unitary authorities to deliver service improvements, bus priority measures and ambitious fares initiatives, including local fare caps in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and Liverpool City Region.

In addition, £5.7 billion investment has been provided to 8 mayoral combined authorities in England to support integrated, cross-modal transport networks over the next 5 years through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), including supporting bus infrastructure.

As part of the National Bus Strategy, the government committed to achieving a zero-emission bus (ZEB) fleet. Since February 2020, we have supported an estimated 3,400 ZEBs across the UK, including a near £300 million investment for up to 1,400 ZEBs in England outside London, taking the vision of a net zero transport network closer to reality.

16/05/2023

PRESS RELEASE : New UK embassy building to reinforce relationship with the Holy See [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 May 2023.

UK’s Minister for Europe opens new British Embassy premises, close to the Vatican.
- UK’s Minister for Europe opens new British Embassy premises, close to the Vatican.
- His visit underlines the strength of UK-Holy See relationship, including cooperation on climate change, freedom of religion or belief and modern slavery.
UK Minister for Europe, Leo Doherty, opened the new offices of the British Embassy to the Holy See today, (Thursday 11 May), reinforcing the importance the UK Government places on its relationship with the Holy See.

Joined at the official opening by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States in the Holy See, the new premises are close to the Vatican.

The move underlines the importance of the UK – Holy See relationship, working together on climate change, the prevention of sexual violence in conflict, the promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief and tackling modern slavery.

Minister for Europe Leo Docherty said:

“These new UK offices, close to the heart of the Vatican, are a powerful and physical reminder of the strength of our relationship with the Holy See, and of our desire to work together even more closely on the global challenges of our time.”

The British Ambassador to the Holy See has also moved into a new residence that is, uniquely amongst his colleagues, on Vatican soil.

The UK and the Holy See celebrated 40 years of full ambassadorial relations in 2022.
16/05/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Driver who smuggled children bolted inside hidden van hatch jailed [May 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 11 May 2023.

A man who smuggled migrants in a ‘coffin-like’ hide inside the roof of a van has been sentenced to 3 years in prison.

A man who smuggled 4 Vietnamese migrants in a single ‘coffin-like’ hide inside the roof of a van has been sentenced today (11 May) to 3 years in prison.

Nicolai Bogdan Lungan, a 32-year-old Romanian, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court for assisting unlawful immigration into the UK.

This follows a swift investigation by the Home Office’s Criminal and Financial Investigations (CFI) unit.

Investigators found that Lungan accepted an offer of earning €6,000 in February this year, to drive a Romanian registered van containing hidden migrants – who were unable to escape without assistance – from Brussels into the UK.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, said:

These criminal and life threatening attempts to smuggle people, including children, into the UK in these incredibly tight, coffin-like spaces are utterly abhorrent and we will not stand for it.

I would like to praise our Immigration Enforcement officers who are working around the clock to prevent this activity and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

No-one should be risking their lives to come to the UK illegally, and today’s case sends a clear message to the smuggling gangs that they will feel the full weight of the law.

The Renault Master van driven by the defendant travelled by ferry from Dunkirk to Dover.

He was stopped by Border Force officers at Dover who noticed that the roof above the driver was covered with padded material and was unusually hot.

When this material was removed, officers found a hatch in the van roof which led to a hide in which they found four 17-year-old children. The migrants were found lying on bare metal in the cramped and insufficiently ventilated roof hatch, which had been bolted shut using power tools.

The migrants inside the hatch had no way of escaping from the hide without assistance. When questioned by officers, Lungan claimed he was travelling to Glasgow to collect furniture which he intended to take back to Romania to open a barber shop.

The defendant was subsequently charged with assisting unlawful immigration and pleaded guilty to that offence at an earlier court hearing.

Chris Foster, Deputy Director for Immigration Enforcement’s Criminal and Financial Investigations, said:

Criminals should be in no doubt of our determination to investigate and bring to justice anyone attempting to smuggle people into the UK and in atrocious conditions such as this.

I hope this sentencing sends a powerful message that breaking the law and putting individuals’ lives at risk will not go unpunished. My team work tirelessly to disrupt this type of illegal activity and we will continue to take action against those who put people’s lives in danger for the sake of making money.

16/05/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Minister for Disabled People meets world class disabled golfers at inaugural championship [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 11 May 2023.
- Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP met leading disabled golfers at the inaugural G4D Open
- Minister surveyed the action at the new international Championship for disabled golfers
- 80 golfers from across the world competing at Woburn Golf Club
Tom Pursglove MP joined more than 80 talented competitors from across the world taking part in the inaugural G4D Open (10-12 May) at the Duchess Course at Woburn Golf Club.

The championship is one of the most inclusive ever staged, featuring nine sports classes across multiple impairment groups.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove, MP, said:

“Sport should be open to everyone. It sparks hope and brings together people from every background. I’m deeply honoured to have attended the G4D Open and seen so many world-class disabled golfers in action.

“One of the most inspiring things about the G4D Open is that the adaptations enable players at the Championship to have the same opportunities to play as everyone else.

“This ethos is so important and will be at the heart of our Disability Action Plan as we strive to make the UK a more inclusive and accessible society for everyone.”

Attending the second day of competition with Tim Hollingsworth OBE – the Government Disability and Access Ambassador for Sport – Minister Pursglove met some of the players, hearing how they got into the sport and took part in a practical demonstration to see first-hand the adaptions that make golf accessible to everyone.

The Championship is held in partnership with The R&A and the DP World Tour and supported by EDGA (formerly the European Disabled Golf Association).

Tim Hollingsworth OBE, Government Disability Access Ambassador and Chief Executive of Sport England, said:

“It is a real pleasure to join the Minister in supporting The G4D Open at Woburn and witness first hand the skills and talents of competitors from across the world.

“Golf is a wonderful sport for both our physical and mental health and wellbeing and there has been a lot of hard work in recent years for it to become more inclusive. That’s at the heart of Sport England’s Uniting the Movement strategy – tackling the inequalities that exist to ensure that everyone has the chance to play sport and be active in their everyday lives.”

Among the players competing in the Championship is world number one disabled golfer, Kipp Popert. The English golfer was born with a form of Cerebral Palsy called Spastic Diplegia and spent most of his teenage years undergoing surgery and treatment on his legs and feet.

The 24-year-old, who competes in able-bodied and disabled events, is hoping his performances will help inspire others into the sport.

World number one ranked disabled golfer Kipp Popert said:

“What The R&A, DP World Tour and EDGA are doing for grassroots golf for disabled people has been brilliant and important, but those getting into the game need something to aspire to and that is what I’m trying to achieve.

“I hope people watching the G4D Open come away thinking that anyone can play golf. It doesn’t matter what your disability is.”
16/05/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Freedom of the media – UK statement to the OSCE [May 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 May 2023.

The UK recalls the importance of media freedom for democracy and security in the OSCE region.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

Ms Ribeiro, welcome back to the Permanent Council and thank you for your continued work to promote and defend media freedom since your last report.

We stand behind your mandate and your work, even as others seek to undermine the OSCE’s standards and commitments to media freedom. We agree with the conclusion in your report that it is indispensable work.

Free media play a vital role in promoting human rights and diversity and equality, including gender justice, as well as enhancing security in our region. Yet, as your report notes, last year we saw a global spike in the number of journalists and media workers who have been killed and in the number who have been imprisoned.

Across the OSCE space, the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on media freedom is evident. Many journalists in Ukraine have been injured. Broadcasting infrastructure has been destroyed. Twelve media workers have been killed while on duty, including Ukrainian producer, Bohan Bitik, who was shot and killed on April 26 while reporting for the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, near Kherson. In Crimea, the persecution of dissenting voices, particularly from the Crimean Tatar community, has continued.

In Russia this January, Meduza, one of the most popular Russian-language news portals, was outlawed and declared an “undesirable organization”. In February, journalist Alexander Nevzorov was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment, while RusNews journalist Maria Ponomarenko received a six-year sentence. Telegram channel author Dmitry Ivanov was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison, and journalist Andrey Novashov to eight months in a correctional facility.

In Belarus, 33 journalists are currently behind bars. Many more have fled to avoid being detained. Independent media has been systematically purged and dismantled, with extremely harsh sentences handed down. This includes journalist Andrzej Poczobut from the Polish community in Belarus, sentenced to eight years in prison. In March, Maryna Zolatava and Ludmila Chekina, Editor-in-chief and Director General of the largest independent online news portal in Belarus, were sentenced to twelve years.

Such repressive measures reflect a systematic clampdown by the Russian and Belarusian authorities on media freedom.

Yet our OSCE commitments are very clear. Participating States have repeatedly committed themselves to ensuring media freedom as a basic condition for peaceful societies. The 2018 OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on Safety of Journalists, adopted by consensus, is a road map for us all to provide a safe and enabling environment for journalists, and to ensure our laws, policy and practice fully comply with international human rights law and OSCE Commitments. We should all live up to that decision.

The UK calls for all participating States to uphold their commitments on media freedom, and ensure the safety of journalists and media workers. We will continue to work with you to ensure that media freedom remains a cornerstone of democracy, and a prerequisite for security across our region.

Thank you.

16/05/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government seeks advice on ‘monkey dust’ [May 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 11 May 2023.

The harms of synthetic cathinones are to be re-assessed, to see if some or all, including ‘monkey dust’, may need reclassifying.

An independent review into the harms that monkey dust and other synthetic cathinones pose has been commissioned as the government continues its work to combat drug addiction and violent crime.

Currently a Class B substance, the drug is reported to be responsible for acts of violence and arson – particularly in Stoke-on-Trent.

There have also been concerns about the impact of synthetic cathinones on people’s heath, with reported effects including hallucinations, psychosis and involuntary body movements.

The Policing Minister has asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to consider whether these substances, including ‘monkey dust’, should be made Class A drugs to keep communities safe. By making this a Class A substance, criminals caught suppling this drug will face a life sentence.

Minister for Crime and Policing Chris Philp said:

These synthetic drugs ruin lives, families and neighbourhoods. Made in labs and pumped into our communities, our drug laws must keep pace with their evolution.

We are tackling the supply and demand for illegal substances to reduce addiction and its effects, including driving down crime and antisocial behaviour.

I look forward to receiving the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs’ advice on combatting synthetic cathinones in Staffordshire and across the UK.

Driving forward our 10-year Drug Strategy’s whole-system approach to tackling drugs, the review will also explore how other measures such as drug treatment and recovery can combat the harmful impacts of this substance. This is in addition to our drug diversion schemes and housing support interventions to help addicts turn their lives around for good.

Chief Inspector and operational lead on drugs at Staffordshire Police, Rob Hessell said:

We are supportive of exploring the reclassification of synthetic cathinones, which includes monkey dust, from Class B to A, which will protect people from the harm of these drugs.

The reclassification would make the drugs harder to access and introduce tougher penalties for possession.

We have a dedicated operation, together with key local partners, aimed at disrupting the supply of monkey dust in Stoke-on-Trent and safeguarding those vulnerable to associated anti-social behaviour and criminality. It is hoped that by signposting users to support and treatment, through our work with partner agencies, we will be able to reduce the adverse impact the substance has on the local community.

Lisa Healings, Chief Executive of VAST – the local infrastructure organisation for the voluntary and community sector in Stoke-on-Trent said:

It’s great news to hear that the classification of synthetic cathinones is being reviewed.

Reclassification would ultimately make our communities safer for the people who live there and ensure that those affected by substance misuse are able to get the support they need.

The ACMD will now undertake the review and return their advice to the government. Updates will be provided in due course.

16/05/2023
PRESS RELEASE : British Army announces 491 new bedspaces for soldiers [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 11 May 2023.

Soldiers at five Army barracks are set to benefit from new single living accommodation under a £1.2bn programme to modernise and improve the Army estate.
5 barracks are set to benefit under the Army’s Single Living Accommodation (SLA) Programme at Bicester, Camberley, Cottesmore, Blackpool and Ipswich

Part of a £1.2bn investment programme delivering 8,500 bedspaces over the next 10 years

Contracts for 491 new bedspaces have been announced under the Army’s Single Living Accommodation (SLA) Programme, which is investing £1.2bn to deliver 8,500 SLA bedspaces over the next 10 years.

The contracts have been awarded to Reds10 and ESS Modular. Construction will commence in Autumn 2023 and is expected to complete in early 2025, delivering new build SLA for the British Army and on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation at five sites:

St George’s Barracks, Bicester (69 bedspaces)

Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Camberley (110 bedspaces)

Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore (75 bedspaces)

Weeton Barracks, Blackpool (69 bedspaces)

Flying Station Wattisham, Ipswich (168 bedspaces)

Major General Richard Clements CBE, Director of Basing & Infrastructure, said:

The contract announcement for new Single Living Accommodation at five additional barracks is really good news for our people. This next phase of construction will expand on the provision of new bedspaces already being delivered at other sites across the Army estate.

We have listened to soldiers’ experiences about living on camp, and their feedback is reflected in the design of these buildings, as we strive to continuously improve living conditions for our people.

Each new build SLA will offer single en suite bedrooms, kitchen diners and communal space. The accommodation will use modern methods of construction, incorporating solar panels and the latest materials to support the Army’s net zero targets. Rather than a lengthy onsite build, the companies will use 3D offsite modular construction, incorporating features based on feedback from soldiers including soundproofing, floor to ceiling windows, and individual thermostats with SMART monitors (BEMS – Building Energy Management Systems).

Warren Webster, Defence Infrastructure Organisation, MPP Programme Director – Army, said:

Supporting the Army in delivering improved accommodation is a priority for DIO. This is the culmination of a significant collaborative effort and with the award of the contracts, we are now in the delivery phase and well on the way to making these much-needed bedspaces a reality.

These latest contract awards mark the second wave of construction under the Army’s SLA Programme. This first phase, due to complete in 2024, is already underway at Kinloss, Moray; Beacon Barracks, Stafford; Imjin Barracks in Gloucester; and Trenchard Lines, Upavon. Future delivery will include additional SLA at Catterick and at Baker Barracks, Thorney Island.

Over the same timeframe as the Army SLA Programme, 8,000 bedspaces are being delivered under the Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Army Programme. This brings the combined provision of bedspaces for soldiers over 10 years to 16,500.
16/05/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State announces ICRIR Chief Commissioner [May 2023]

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 11 May 2023.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has appointed The Rt Hon Sir Declan Morgan to be Chief Commissioner of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has identified The Rt Hon Sir Declan Morgan to be appointed Chief Commissioner of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

The appointment will take place following the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill receiving Royal Assent and establishment of the ICRIR, taking account of any further considerations and final requirements of Parliament.

The ICRIR is a key component of the Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, which represents the Government’s pledge to address the extremely complex and sensitive legacy of Northern Ireland’s past. It is being established as an arm’s length body that will operate independently of government.

Sir Declan, a former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, will begin work from early next month to identify other Commissioners and to consider how the new Commission will carry out its role. He will lead the process to recruit the Commissioner for Investigations. That role is currently advertised, seeking the broadest possible field of experienced candidates, and subject to fair and open competition, with appointment on merit. In light of the announcement of the Chief Commissioner, the deadline will be extended until 01 June to allow him to lead the appointment process and form a panel.

Confirming the announcement via a written ministerial statement to Parliament, Mr Heaton-Harris said:

Sir Declan brings a wealth of experience from his previous role as former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland from 2009-2021. A hallmark of his distinguished career has been his commitment to addressing Northern Ireland’s past. I am confident that he will bring the highest level of experience, expertise and integrity to this post which will help build public confidence in the ICRIR.

16/05/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Benefit fraud and error falling after Government crackdown [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 11 May 2023.

Total rate of overpayments has fallen from 4.0% in 2022 to 3.6% in 2023.
- The Universal Credit overpayment rate decreased by £400 million in a year
- Tide is starting to turn on benefit fraud after record high levels during the pandemic
Fraud and error in the benefit system is falling, official figures released today show, as the Government restated its determination to drive levels down further and protect taxpayers’ money.

The latest national statistics confirm that in the last year fraud and error rates in 2023 fell to 3.6% (£8.3 billion) from 4.0% (£8.7 billion), with Universal Credit (UC) losses falling from 14.7% (£5,920 million) to 12.8% (£5,540 million). The figures also reveal reduced rates of fraud, both overall and within UC.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, said:

Our welfare system provides a strong financial safety net for vulnerable people, and no one should be able to cynically abuse that for profit.

We are cracking down on fraudsters, and today’s figures show encouraging progress as DWP works to both prevent new fraudulent claims and collar cases where people have been shamelessly exploiting the system.

While we may be beginning to turn the tide on fraud, there is no room for complacency and still much to do. Our £900 million Fraud Plan will help us deliver savings of over £9 billion for the taxpayer over the next five years.

The rates of fraud and error are coming down, with statistically significant decreases recorded in the UC overpayment rate and rates of claimant error – which has reduced by over a third. The official error overpayments rate is now at the lowest recorded rate.

The overall rate of fraud overpayments is also down from the highest recorded level in 2022 when fraudsters took advantage of the temporary easements the DWP put in place during the pandemic to pay people who needed help.

The Government has been clear that it will crack down on those exploiting the benefits system as they are stealing from those who most need help.

Minister responsible for tackling fraud, Tom Pursglove MP, said:

Benefit fraud is never a victimless crime, which is why it’s entirely right we stop money going to fraudsters and serious crime groups intent on exploiting the system – and is instead paid to the people who need it.

Cutting fraud delivers on the Prime Minister’s priorities, reducing our national debt and helping to curb inflation by protecting the hard-earned money of taxpayers.

We’re starting to see the rates of fraud and error move in a positive direction, thanks to our preventative work, alongside vigorously pursuing fraudsters using the full range of our powers to show that crime does not pay.

Last year the Department for Work and Pensions launched a robust plan to drive down fraud and error from the benefits system. The “Fighting Fraud in the Welfare System” plan sits alongside investment of £900 million that will deliver £2.4 billion of savings by the end of next year, growing to over £9 billion by 2027/28.

This additional funding will allow the Department to review millions of Universal Credit claims over the next five years. They also provide intelligence on new and emerging ways to identify fraud and error entering the welfare system.

As part of the fraud plan, when parliamentary time allows, DWP plans to introduce a raft of new powers, including strengthening the penalty regime by introducing a new civil penalty for cases of fraud, which will act as a deterrent to those cynically seeking to exploit the system.

The new powers would also include requirements for organisations, such as banks, to share data securely on an increased scale to check levels of savings and whether claimants are living abroad. There are also plans to increase DWP officers’ powers to conduct searches, seize evidence, and make arrests.

If you believe your circumstances have changed, we encourage you to get in touch with us so that we can ensure your entitlement is correct. More information on this can be found on Gov.uk.
16/05/2023

Category: Press Releases

Confirming the announcement via a written ministerial statement to Parliament, Mr Heaton-Harris said: