Woman charged with falsely claiming Universal Credit benefits

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 18:27 · Archive

Nicola Thompson, 53, appeared in court charged with making a false statement to claim Universal Credit.

Nicola Thompson, 53, of Cross Street, Kendal, appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates Court in Barrow charged with aid or abetting a dishonest false statement or representation to obtain social security benefit. The charge alleges she made a false statement when claiming Universal Credit for herself on 8 September this year, specifically that she had no assets.

Thompson offered no indication of plea when she appeared. She is scheduled to appear at Carlisle Crown Court on 20 November for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

The case comes as the DWP intensifies efforts to tackle fraud in the benefits system in Swindon and Wiltshire. The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act has given the DWP wider powers to investigate suspected fraud, recover debts and verify claimants' eligibility for benefits. Ministers said the measures are designed to protect public money and ensure support reaches those who genuinely need it.

Among the new powers are the ability to obtain more information from third parties during investigations, stronger debt recovery measures and enhanced data-matching systems designed to uncover undeclared income, savings or changes in circumstances. The DWP is investing in additional staff and improved analytical tools as part of a wider programme expected to save billions of pounds over the coming years.

In Wiltshire, residents are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud to the DWP through the National Benefit Fraud Hotline or the government's online reporting system.

How it is being reported

• DWP: Woman accused of falsely claiming Universal Credit by declaring no assetsA WOMAN has appeared in court after being accused of claiming unentitled benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).Gazette & Herald · 19 Oct, 17:52
• DWP: Woman accused of falsely claiming Universal Credit by declaring no assetsA WOMAN has appeared in court after being accused of claiming unentitled benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).Swindon Advertiser · 19 Oct, 17:52
• DWP: Woman accused of falsely claiming Universal Credit by declaring no assetsA WOMAN has appeared in court after being accused of claiming unentitled benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).Wiltshire Times · 19 Oct, 17:52

In this story: Nicola Thompson · Department for Work and Pensions · Kendal · South Cumbria Magistrates Court · Carlisle Crown Court · Swindon · Wiltshire

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