Bedroom Tax 'Savings' Wiped Out By Housing Benefit Fraud and Error

Housing benefit fraud and error now costs taxpayers three times more than savings from the Bedroom Tax. Iain Duncan Smith has been blamed by his Labour opposite number Rachel Reeves for the waste. She said: “Billions are poured away in housing benefit fraud while the poorest pay the cruel and unfair Bedroom Tax.” She spoke out after it was revealed DWP figures show benefit cheating and claimant mistakes are costing £1.4billion a year. At nearly six per cent of the Housing Benefit bill that’s the highest level ever. And it compares to annual savings of £480million from the bedroom tax. The DWP predicts losses will continue until Universal Credit replaces most ­benefits by 2017. Read more on the Sunday People website.