Starmer 'lets benefit fraudsters off hook'

Only 6% of regional probes end in charges

- David Williamson

LABOUR is letting benefit cheats get away with fraud while hardworking families pay the price, the Conservatives have warned - as figures show only a tiny fraction of investigations result in prosecution.

A mere 6% of regional fraud investigations led to prosecutions and a "paltry" 3% to financial penalties in 2024-25.

The Conservatives are calling for the immediate reintroduction of face-to-face benefits assessments and new powers to seize luxury assets from cheats.

The outcry comes as spending on disability and sickness benefits is forecast to hit £100billion by the end of the decade.

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said: "These figures lay bare a damning failure of the Labour Government to get a grip on benefit fraud.

"Ministers talk tough but the reality is hardworking families are being forced to subsidise those who have no intention of playing by the rules.