HC Deb 30 March 1998 vol 309 cc425-6W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will review her policy in respect of the Benefit Integrity Project; and if she will make a statement. [35550]

Mr. Denham

It is right to ensure that people who are in receipt of benefit are entitled to it and that they remain so. The Benefit Integrity Project is designed to help ensure that payments of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are correct.

Since taking office last year, we have made a number of improvements to the way in which the Project operates. Most recently, on 9 February, we introduced an extra safeguard to help ensure that we get decisions right and restore confidence.

At a meeting with the Disability Benefits Consortium on 23 March, it was agreed that people aged 65 or over would no longer be involved in the Project. In addition, we agreed to work together to look at ways of improving Project literature and staff training; and at extending the categories of people who need not be contacted directly as part of the Project.

This demonstrates our determination to be fair and be seen to be fair; and our commitment to keeping under review the way in which the Project operates.