FRAUD inspectors are set to clamp down on benefits cheats. Officers from the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate are visiting Bury to help reduce its multi-million pound housing benefits bill.
Bury and seven other "poor performing" councils give £200 million to claimants every year.
Housing Benefit Minister Malcolm Wicks said: "I've asked the BFI to target these poor performing councils.
"It is vital that performance improves so that benefit administration is effective and secure."
Barking and Dagenham, the Isle of Wight, Knowsley, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Swindon and Wokingham will also be targeted.
They and Bury were selected for inspection because assessors said they had little capacity for self-improvement.
Bury pays out nearly £24 million to benefit claimants every year. Mr Wicks said: "Good performance in housing benefits can help tackle poverty and provide opportunity. The BFI inspectors improve the effectiveness of the housing benefits system and encourage people to stop living on benefit and move into work."
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