28 May 2014

Thousands of benefits cancelled

2:49 pm on 28 May 2014

The benefits of more than 6000 people have been cancelled after a further crackdown on fraud.

Minister for Courts, Chester Borrows

Minister for Courts, Chester Borrows Photo: Supplied

A joint operation between Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Social Development targets those that are found to be in work and earning income other than a benefit.

Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows said that is estimated to have saved more than $19 million.

Mr Borrows told the Social Services committee at Parliament on Wednesday that of the 6000 found to be illegitimately receiving the benefits over the past year, 95 have been prosecuted for fraud.

Overall, in 2012/13 there were 906 convictions for benefit fraud, totalling more than 32 million, Mr Borrows said.