Benefit error can be recouped

The government is entitled to take legal action to recover social security benefits it pays by mistake a judge has ruled. In a test case at the High Court the Child Action Poverty Group (CAPG) argued that government has no power to seek to claw back overpayments where the recipient had done nothing wrong. However the court decided that government is entitled to ask for its money back under common law. Recognising that the decision would have wide-spread implications, the ruling judge gave the CPAG permission to appeal the decision.