§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to set up pilot projects in respect of the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit; and if he will make a statement. [80660]
§ Mr. TimmsAs part of the Government's programme of work to modernise the administration of Social Security and to help reduce fraud and error, there are a number of pilots in progress. New ones are likely to be developed in the future. Pilots that have recently been established or are due to start soon include those outlined.
From 12 April 1999 in 7 local authorities, we are testing the requirement of Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit (HB/CTB) claimants to provide sufficient information for a National Insurance number to be traced and confirmed, or be allocated. Testing will continue until the requirement is extended to all authorities from September 1999.
Between July 1999 and September 1999, the Benefits Agency and local authorities will be piloting the incorporation of HB paid to claimants who are in receipt of Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based) into the Benefits Agency's Area Benefit Review programme which measures the level of fraud and error.
Since 23 November 1998, the Department has been running a prosecution pilot, where selected local authorities can use Departmental solicitors free of charge to prosecute their cases of benefit fraud. The pilot is scheduled to run for a period of one year.
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