UK Government Spent £121.5 Million Avoiding Paying Benefits Says SNP

The UK Government spent over £120 million fighting appeals by claimants who were denied benefits last year – 70% of which were won by claimants who were actually entitled to the support they claimed.
 
Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request reveal that the Ministry of Justice spent £121.5 million on social security and child support tribunals in 2017/18 – an increase of almost 15% on the previous year.
 
An overwhelming majority of those denied benefits by the UK government were found to be entitled to that support – prompting calls by the SNP for an immediate change in approach.  
 
There were 51,256 appeal disposals in the quarter up to December 2018 and 41,171 (80 per cent) were cleared at hearing. Of those cases cleared at hearing, 70% were found in favour of the claimant – an increase of 5% on 2016/17.

Image: SNP MSP Bob Doris
 
Commenting, SNP MSP Bob Doris said:
 
“Something has gone seriously wrong here. Choosing to spend £120 million fighting to deny people the support they are entitled to, instead of fixing the problems embedded in the welfare system, really shows where the Tories’ priorities lie.
 
“These figures are deeply concerning, and expose a system which is systematically hostile towards people who need support the most.
 
“The grim reality is that the Tories are letting the most vulnerable people in our society down first. Mismanagement such as this is driving more and more people to foodbanks – something which DWP ministers have finally admitted to, but done nothing to fix.
 
“It’s becoming clearer every day that the Tory government’s current welfare system is simply not fit for purpose.”

ABC Information: This is a shocking fact. The government should be losing around 5% of cases in a fair system. The fact the public are having to fund such a wateful amount of money.