Council's counter-fraud efforts save £157,000

City of York Council has saved more than £155,000 by tackling fraud – more than three-quarters of its £200,000 target for the financial year.

The council set the target in April as part of efforts to crack down on fraud across the city.

Housing fraud accounted for 56% of the savings, while social care fraud made up 17%, according to a report by investigators Veritau.

The report, presented to the council's audit and governance committee on 21 October, said fraud posed a "significant risk to the public sector" and remained "one of the most prevalent forms of crime in England and Wales".

According to the report by Veritau, which investigates fraud on behalf of councils, 192 fraud referrals were made between April and September.

By 30 September, 73 investigations had been completed and another 73 remained open, the Local Democracy Service reports.

Of the open investigations, 20 related to council tax fraud, 19 to household levy support, 10 to parking, nine to housing and five to suspected internal fraud.

Investigations into council tax and business rates fraud resulted in 14 cases with a range of outcomes, including formal cautions, warnings and referrals to the police.

According to the report, there have been 22 probes into the fraudulent use of parking permits including Blue Badges and for holiday lets in York so far in 2026/27.

Eight investigations into applications for emergency financial assistance resulted in three fraudulent applications being stopped and one case being referred to the police.

Housing fraud investigations led to two properties being recovered and allocated to families on the council's waiting list. One Right to Buy application was also blocked.

Of the 12 completed housing fraud investigations, one resulted in one person having their banding downgraded on the housing waiting list to reflect their true circumstances.

Two warning letters were also issued.

Six investigations have been carried out into adult social care fraud, which has cost the council about £110,000 so far this year.

A total of 301 referrals were made to investigators during the whole of 2025/26, with £219,512 saved.

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