Kirklees Council claws back tax benefits

Apr 1 2009 By Neil Atkinson

A BIG crackdown on benefit claimants has uncovered widespread abuse.

Council officials found thousands of people across Kirklees claiming council tax benefits to which they were not entitled – often up to £250 each year.

Now they have managed to claw back more than £¾m, with more likely to come back into council coffers.

The move has delighted Kirklees Council leaders who pledged to do all they could to stop the abuse.

Clr Kath Pinnock, Kirklees Joint Cabinet Member for Revenues and Benefits, said: “This exercise has proven to be very worthwhile and ensures that everyone pays the right amount of council tax.

“The additional income will help us to keep future council tax increases as low as possible.”

No-one has been taken to court but the council warned they would prosecute if abuse persisted.

The Council’s Revenues and Benefits Service was behind the sweep through tens of thousands of council tax payers.