§ Mr. HepburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she will commence provisions of the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997; and if she will make a statement. [5452]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Government aims to rebuild confidence in a Social Security system which will support work, savings and honesty. We are developing a range of measures in order to prevent fraud from occurring in the Social Security system. We will take effective action against fraudsters.
Fraud within a system designed to help those in need is anti-social behaviour which has no place in a society where the right to benefit goes hand in hand with responsible citizenship.
We have today made a commencement order for Sections 1 to 4, 5 to 10, 12, 13, 14, 17 and 18 and most of the Schedules 1 and 2 of the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997, to come into effect on Tuesday 1 July.
494WThis is an important step towards achieving a secure and fair system. These measures will strengthen action against Housing Benefit fraud, particularly fraud by landlords, which for too long has been allowed to go unchecked.