Prosecution serves as a reminder to employers

Shropshire Council’s public protection service is reminding employers of their statutory duty to provide information to the council when compelled by legislation to do so. 

The advice follows a successful prosecution on 10 May 2013 where Shropshire Council brought a case under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 against an 71-year-old man from Cheshire.  Barrie North from Crewe admitted failing to provide company payroll information in relation to a potential benefits offence.   

North pleaded guilty to the offence and Shrewsbury Magistrates’ Court fined him £400 and ordered him to pay costs of £150 to Shopshire Council. 

Frances Darling, Shropshire Council’s service manager for safer and stronger communities within public protection, said:

“Prosecuting employers is not something that the council wants to be doing, as it diverts resources away from our business support role that we are absolutely committed to providing.  However, when employers fail to provide information that they are legally required to provide, they leave us with little choice but to prosecute.  In this particular case, North was given a significant number of opportunities to respond to the investigating officer’s requests but he still did not comply.”

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member, added:

“Employers need to be aware that benefit fraud will not be tolerated in Shropshire.  We have a duty to protect the public purse, and to ensure that those members of our community who genuinely need financial assistance through the benefit system have the help and support they need.  Employers who avoid assisting the council to identify fraudulent claims by individuals are undermining the efficiency and effectiveness of the welfare benefit system in exactly the same way as the claimants themselves.  I strongly urge all employers to promptly provide benefits investigators with accurate employment information when this is requested.” 

Shropshire Council encourages individuals and businesses to contact its public protection and enforcement service on 0345 678 9000 if they have any suspicions that offences may be being committed.  Information can be given anonymously and will always be treated in line with the council’s information governance policies. 

Business advice can be obtained from public protection’s business support and locality working team on 0345 678 9000.