§ Mr. PopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many staff are currently employed in the prevention of benefit fraud; and what was the financial benefit of such work in the last financial year for which figures are available. [16823]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe administration of fraud work is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Greg Pope, dated 28 March 1995:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the numbers of staff currently employed in the prevention of benefit fraud; and the financial benefit of this work in the last financial year.The Benefits Agency currently employs over 3,000 staff in fraud work where duties include both prevention and detection. Separate figures are not kept on the work of staff where work is related to the prevention of fraud, nor on the financial value of preventative work. The total estimated benefit savings for the financial year 1993/94 from fraud work was £654m. Recoveries of benefit overpaid, including fraud cases, totalled £80m for the same period.I hope you find this reply helpful.