Latest news with #Error
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
At a mad moment, a dull Fed is good
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Korea Herald
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Interview: K-pop idol-turned-actor Cha Hak-yeon comes into his own
From boy band leader to leading man, the former Vixx star carves a steady path on screen At 35, Cha Hak-yeon still carries the youthful spark that gave him a commanding presence in Vixx a decade ago. Turn back the clock to the days of the group's greatest hits, like "Voodoo Doll" and "Error," and that same electrifying energy, now channeled with more restraint, powers his transition from K-pop idol to seasoned actor. While fans may still remember him as the boy band's charismatic leader and main dancer, N, Cha has spent nearly a decade building his acting chops across television. Most recently, he's stepped into lead roles in the breakout hit "Castaway Diva" and the currently airing "Oh My Ghost Client." 'My experience with movement and choreography helps a lot with acting,' Cha tells The Korea Herald at a Samcheong-dong cafe. 'I can memorize a 5-6 minute action sequence in one rehearsal and nail it in a single take,' he laughs. Now he brings that confidence to "Midnight Sun," a remake of the 2007 Japanese tearjerker. In it, he plays Min-jun — a fruit vendor by day, aspiring actor by night — who falls for Mi-sol (played by Jung Ji-so), a singer living with a rare condition that prevents her from being exposed to sunlight. It's Cha's first lead role in a feature film, an opportunity that came rather naturally. 'The director said my energy aligned perfectly with Min-jun's,' he recalls. 'He told me to just bring what I already have rather than create something new.' Now, the actor exudes this relaxed assurance, articulating each word with quiet, thoughtful precision — but that wasn't always the case. 'When I first started acting, ignorance was bliss — I thought I could just wing it,' he says. 'Soon, I realized I needed to take a step back and really build my foundation.' After years of steady work, he's found his rhythm. 'I have this ease now that lets me trust the process and the people around me.' The film itself presents a difficult puzzle for the actors and viewers alike. "Midnight Sun" is largely a tonal misfire — its earnest, PG-13 wholesomeness feels awkwardly splattered across what should be devastating melodrama. The emotional crescendos, especially Mi-sol's inevitable goodbye, somehow manage to feel dead despite all the tragic weight they carry. It's the cinematic equivalent of watching someone cry through a gauzy, pastel-tinted Instagram filter. The role's earnest optimism seems to have left a lasting mark on the actor, though. Min-jun's try-anyway-even-if-you-fail attitude resonated so deeply, Cha claims, that it reshaped his outlook on future roles. 'Those lines felt like the character was speaking directly to me,' he says. 'It gave me the courage to take on more challenging roles' — including his upcoming lead in the BL (boys love) drama "The Killer Next Door." After more than a decade in the industry, Cha still finds strength in familiar places. Though he sat out Vixx's recent comeback due to scheduling conflicts, the group — and its fans — continue to be a grounding presence in his life. 'Starlight (Vixx's official fandom) gives me strength and motivation,' he says. 'I'm not someone who thrives in isolation. Having people who always believe in me — that's what pushes me forward.' The sentiment rings especially true following Vixx's 13th anniversary celebration last month, where the group shared a commemorative photo that had fans feeling all kinds of nostalgic. The members also showed up for him at the screening. 'Some of them even burst into tears,' he says. As for what's next, Cha prefers to keep things simple. 'Right now, I want to carry a full project on my own. I've learned so much from senior actors who create this amazing energy on set. I'd love to become that kind of presence.'
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP errors pushed Universal Credit claimants into debt worth £494million
The total amount - which equates to around 0.3% of benefit spending - comes as the benefit department made 680,000 Universal Credit overpayments because of "official error" in 2023-24 Universal Credit claimants incurred more than £494million worth of debt in the last year due to mistakes made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The total amount - which equates to around 0.3% of benefit spending - comes as the benefit department made 680,000 Universal Credit overpayments because of "official error" in 2023-24. Under the current rules, the benefits department recovers benefits overpayments by deducting an amount from a claimant's monthly benefit payment. The department usually sends notice of this, and a claimant can appeal. However, the deductions will start at their next payment regardless. On the government's website, official error is described as being caused "by an error or omission by an officer of the Department for Work and Pensions". For example, if the DWP officer working on your Universal Credit claim didn't correctly register your savings or income, you could be paid more than you are entitled to. If the error is noticed and corrected, the DWP will recover the entire amount which was overpaid to you. Depending on how long it takes to notice the error, Universal Credit claimants could rack up overpayment debt worth thousands. According to DWP data obtained by Good Law Project through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, the DWP waived overpayment debts only 75 times last year. This represents 0.01% of all overpayment cases, with a total of £865,000 having been waived. This represents just 0.02% of the total amount overpaid by the benefits department. However, the I paper report that the DWP have cast doubt on the data obtained through the FOI request, as it noted that its system for recording overpayments was 'not considered to be robust enough' to provide exact numbers on overpayments. The DWP did not confirm whether the actual number was higher or lower than the figure provided. On the data, a spokesperson for the DWP told the publication that the department will be introducing new measures to reduce overpayments. This is included in the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) Bill which was introduced into the Commons in January. The added: "To further protect people, we have additional safeguards in place before any recovery action takes place". Niamh Grahame, a solicitor at Public Law Project, has voiced concern over the DWP's plans for overpayment debts and says they carried a "particular risk of harm and injustice'. One example she noted was the department's 'eligibility verification measure.' The measure does not give the DWP access to claimant's bank accounts, instead it requires banks to share data on claimants who may be receiving incorrect payments. Niamh said the bill offered ministers 'a golden opportunity to prevent hundreds of thousands of people from being pushed into unfair debt by the DWP's own error'. Alongside 30 other leading charities, The Public Law Project has written to Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall calling for an end to this issue. The letter urged the DWP to change its approach to Universal Credit overpayments and instead align more with that of Housing Benefit. With this, overpayments are not recovered when the claimant could not reasonably have expected to have known they had been overpaid. Niamh added: "This would mean they could only be recovered where the claimant could reasonably have been expected to realise that they had been overpaid." Luke Young, head of policy at Citizens Advice, commented: 'Too many people on universal credit are being penalised for government mistakes. Deductions are leaving people with less income than they need to make ends meet and pushing them into debt. The benefits system should be there to support people, not force them into hardship.' Luke added that writing off overpayment debts which were down to official error "would be a good place to start" in any plans for Universal Credit reform.
Wales Online
13-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
DWP steps to prevent people fraudulently claiming PIP payments
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The Department for Work and Pensions has reaffirmed its vow to combat benefit fraud and error, including reclaiming debts from Personal Independent Payments. This statement was made in response to an inquiry by Conservative MP Sir John Hayes, who questioned what actions the DWP is taking to address individuals submitting fraudulent PIP claims. In a written response, DWP Minister Andrew Western detailed new initiatives being put in place to prevent fraudulent activity from entering the system based on observed patterns and case types. Read more: Nationwide warns over major shake-up Some of these steps include implementing more stringent checks when claimants modify personal details, such as bank accounts, as reported by the Daily Record. Western stated, "DWP is dedicated to tackling fraud and error within the benefits system and to recovering debts, including those from Personal Independent Payments. Working closely with counter-fraud specialists, DWP has introduced measures to prevent fraudulent activity based on observed cases and trends.", reports the Express. DWP introduces new measures to combat benefit fraud. The Minister further noted, "DWP is making progress in key counter-fraud activities, including investing in counter-fraud professionals and enhancing data analytical capabilities. The new Fraud, Error, and Debt Bill will introduce additional measures to tackle systemic fraud. "Details of the legislative measures will be presented to Parliament in due course." Minister Western outlined new measures being taken to "prevent fraud entering the system based on the types of cases and trends we have seen". These measures include "introducing more rigorous checks for customers changing personal details, including bank accounts", reports the Daily Record. Mr Western stated: "DWP is committed to tackling fraud and error in the benefits system and to the recovery of debts, including those generated by Personal Independent Payments. Working closely with counter fraud experts, the DWP has introduced measures to prevent fraud entering the system based on the types of cases and trends we have seen." New DWP measures to tackle benefit fraud. The Minister added: "DWP is delivering against key counter fraud activity, including investing in counter fraud professionals and building data analytical capabilities. The new Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will bring forward new measures to tackle fraud in the system. "Details on the measures the Government will be legislating will be presented to Parliament in due course." The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) delivers benefits to over 23 million individuals across Great Britain, including 3.6 million on Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The latest DWP report discloses that £90 million was lost to fraud and error in the PIP system in 2023/24. Fraud and error within the welfare system currently burden taxpayers with nearly £10 billion each year. Since the onset of the pandemic, a staggering total of £35 billion has been erroneously paid to those not entitled to it. It's important to clarify that this figure also encompasses criminal gangs, not solely benefit claimants. The forthcoming DWP fraud and error report is due to be released later this month. As per guidance on fraud pertains to claims where all three of the following conditions are satisfied:. Claimant error refers to overpayments where claimants have supplied inaccurate or incomplete information, or neglected to report a change in their circumstances resulting in an overpayment, but there is no evidence of fraudulent intent on the claimant's part. Official error transpires when benefits have been wrongly paid due to a failure to act, a delay, or an incorrect assessment by the Department, a local authority, or His Majesty's Revenue and Customs, to which no one outside of that department has significantly contributed, irrespective of whether the business unit has processed the information. Last year, Mr Western clarified the scope of the soon-to-be-unveiled Fraud, Error and Debt Bill by emphasising: "will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money" further explaining that "limited information" will be made available to banks for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to bolster benefits eligibility checks and spotlight potential rule breaches. The Minister for the DWP was adamant: "As set out by the National Audit Office, access to data is key to prevention and detection of incorrect payments. The Eligibility Verification Measure (EVM) in the proposed Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money." Stressing what the bill seeks to accomplish, he elaborated: "It will require banks and financial institutions to share limited information with the DWP to help verify benefit eligibility by flagging possible conflicts with eligibility rules - for example the £16,000 capital limit in Universal Credit. The information gathered will help DWP identify incorrect payments, prevent debts from accruing for the claimant and help identify where there may be fraudulent activity." To highlight the protective elements, he declared: "The legislation will set out key safeguards, including reporting mechanisms and independent oversight. No benefit entitlement decision will be made solely because of the data obtained under EVM and a final decision on benefit entitlement will always involve a human agent. "If a claimant wishes to challenge or appeal a benefit decision, they can do so following DWP's appeals processes."
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
DWP confirms exact scope of new bank 'monitoring' powers to tackle fraud and overpayments
New souped-up powers from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), which will allow DWP to recover money directly from the bank accounts of fraudsters who can repay but are wilfully gaming the system in order not to, passed an important stage in the House of Commons this week. The Third Reading of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) Bill, which could put these measures into law, will help DWP to catch fraudsters , prevent overpayments and protect taxpayer's money. The Bill will also give powers to the DWP to get data from banks and other financial institutions to help verify the eligibility of those who receive certain benefits to make sure they are getting the correct payments - this will help to stop people falling further into debt because of incorrect payments and help the DWP spot fraudulent claims. DWP confirmed that no personal information will be shared by the Department to support financial institutions in the identification of these accounts, and DWP will not have access to people's bank accounts in verifying eligibility and will not be able to see where people are spending their money. The Bill will save the taxpayer £1.5 billion over the next five years and is part of wider plans set out in the Autumn budget and Spring Statement to save £9.6 billion by 2030. This means taxpayer's money can be invested in public services as part of the government's Plan for Change. Protections are central to the Bill, making sure there is proportionate and effective use of the powers, and that DWP is protecting vulnerable customers. DWP example: Minister for Transformation Andrew Western, said: 'Enhancing our powers is essential to fulfilling our commitment to the public, as they will enable us to address the unacceptable levels of fraud and error we've inherited and better protect public funds. 'By strengthening our ability to catch criminals and prevent overpayments, we can keep up with the evolving nature of welfare fraud while reducing the risk of people falling further into debt, ensuring that more resources are directed towards improving the lives of people across the country.' The new legislation comes as the UK Government is dealing with the broken welfare system it inherited, with out-of-control levels of fraud and error costing the taxpayer around £10 billion a year - with a total of £35 billion of taxpayers' money incorrectly paid to those not entitled to the money since the pandemic. On top of the Bill measures, the Chancellor announced in the Spring Statement a further commitment to recruit over 500 additional DWP fraud and error staff who will make better use of government data to correct errors in benefit claims, as well as increasing checks on potential Universal Credit claimants by introducing more ways to verify the amount of savings they hold, as well as their earnings and expenses. The Cabinet Office's Public Sector Fraud Authority will also be given more powers under the legislation, allowing the department's investigators to detect and recover fraud in other departments and bodies across the public sector. Minister in the Cabinet Office, Georgia Gould said: 'This Bill will save taxpayers' money. People are currently getting away with stealing vast sums of cash because our investigators don't have the powers they need to detect and recover fraud across the public sector. 'We're giving our investigators new powers to tackle fraud wherever they find it - as well as doubling the time available to bring pandemic fraudsters to justice.' The Bill measures will now progress to the House of Lords to be debated further.
