DWP uncovers benefit fraud cases across Cumbria including £85,854 overpayment

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 11:27 · Archive

The Department for Work and Pensions has identified multiple benefit fraud cases in Cumbria involving undeclared work, savings and false claims.

The Department for Work and Pensions has uncovered multiple benefit fraud cases in Cumbria, with overpayments ranging from £3,057.93 to £85,854. The cases have involved undeclared work, unreported savings, undisclosed property ownership and changes in personal circumstances that claimants failed to report.

Louise Stuart, 60, from Maryport, admitted failing to disclose that she and her partner were maintaining a common household. This led to overpayments of £85,854, comprising £49,059 in Employment and Support Allowance and £36,785 in housing benefit. Investigators used address and employment records, along with Facebook posts showing holiday photos and evidence of the couple's engagement, to identify the fraud.

Other cases involved undeclared work. Alan Pullar, 49, from Carlisle, was jailed in 2024 after improperly claiming more than £41,500 over around three years. He had failed to disclose that he was working more hours than permitted as a petrol station forecourt assistant while claiming benefits on the basis of ill health. Jack Jones, 31, from Barrow, admitted failing to report earnings from his self-employed gardening business while receiving Universal Credit, improperly receiving £3,057.93. Investigators found his gardening business advertised on Facebook. South Cumbria Magistrates' Court added 90 hours of unpaid work to his existing community order.

Savings fraud has also featured in investigations. Stephen Quirk, 66, from Millom, pleaded guilty to failing to declare savings of up to £45,000, with an alleged Universal Credit overpayment of £30,044.55 previously outlined in court. Laura Georgiana Nica, 30, from Carlisle, admitted continuing to claim Universal Credit housing costs after moving out of a property. A landlord check revealed she no longer lived there, resulting in an overpayment of £6,895. She is due to be sentenced in February 2027.

How it is being reported

• Cumbria benefit fraud cases uncovered, including £85,854 overpaymentDWP investigations uncover Cumbria benefit fraud, including £85,854 in overpayments, undeclared work and savings, with social media helping expose claims.NW Evening Mail · 14 Nov, 11:00
• Cumbria benefit fraud cases uncovered, including £85,854 overpaymentDWP investigations uncover Cumbria benefit fraud, including £85,854 in overpayments, undeclared work and savings, with social media helping expose claims.Westmorland Gazette · 14 Nov, 11:00
• Cumbria benefit fraud cases uncovered, including £85,854 overpaymentDWP investigations uncover Cumbria benefit fraud, including £85,854 in overpayments, undeclared work and savings, with social media helping expose claims.Whitehaven News · 14 Nov, 11:00
• Cumbria benefit fraud cases uncovered, including £85,854 overpaymentDWP investigations uncover Cumbria benefit fraud, including £85,854 in overpayments, undeclared work and savings, with social media helping expose claims.Cumberland News · 14 Nov, 11:00

In this story: Department for Work and Pensions · Louise Stuart · Alan Pullar · Stephen Quirk · Jack Jones · Laura Georgiana Nica · Cumbria · South Cumbria Magistrates' Court

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log