GWENT local authorities wrote off more than £1.3 million of public money that was paid out in error during the last three years, according to information obtained by Plaid Cymru.

The figures, requested from all 22 Welsh councils, showed a total of £6.6 million of overpaid housing benefits in Wales was written off over three years.

Overall overpayments over the same period totalled £70 million in Wales, with nearly £8 million being overpaid in Gwent.

Both Monmouthshire and Torfaen council's wrote off nearly half of the money they overpaid with Monmouthshire overpaying £843,409 and writing off £445,524 and Torfaen writing off £471,065, compared to the £1,062,466 it overpaid.

Local authorities said the reasons for overpayments included late reporting of changes in circumstances by claimants, errors by claimants, the Department of Work and Pensions and local authorities and even fraudulent claims.

Newport City Council overpaid £4,284, 217 in three years but wrote off £282,048, blaming claimant, local authority and DWP errors.

In Blaenau Gwent, £81.4 million was paid out in housing benefits between 2012-13 and 2014-15, with £1.788 million being overpaid and £117.047 being written off due to claimant errors.

Plaid Cymru’s housing spokeswoman Jocelyn Davies said: “The level of overpayments is significant and it is disappointing that local authorities have needed to write off millions of pounds.

“The level of overpayments suggests there may be a breakdown of communications between entitlement notification from the Department of Work and Pensions and local authorities. This may led to delays in adjustments for individual claimants.

“There may also be delays in the submission of payslips by people who accept some short term or intermittent agency work such as zero hours contracts and this may cause either an under or overpayment to the claimant. I’m also concerned about the potential impact of the full introduction of Universal Credit.”

The South Wales East AM added: “It is clear that those who are termed as the working poor will still receive housing support because of a low wage economy and zero hours contracts that exist in many parts of Wales.

“Even with the reduced level of housing benefit paid to families, who may have more bedrooms than the UK government reckons the family need, local authorities are still paying out significant funds in support annually.”