§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for the extension of the Housing Benefit Verification Framework; and how the Government intends to achieve this extension, with particular reference to incentives or penalties for local authorities failing to(a) comply fully with the scheme or (b) commit themselves to a date. [130763]
§ Angela EagleWe are working in partnership with local authorities in developing and implementing anti-fraud initiatives such as the Verification Framework. Local authorities are in a position to consider their specific needs and local circumstances before deciding when to take forward these initiatives.
That said, we continue to encourage all local authorities to implement the Verification Framework. We have made £100 million available to enable all authorities to implement the Framework by 2001. In addition we have introduced changes that mean that authorities which are compliant with the Framework can claim additional subsidy under the Weekly Benefit Savings Scheme.
§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each local authority in Great Britain, for each of the last two financial years, weekly benefit savings for(a) thresholds, (b) claimed savings, (c) amount of additional subsidy claimed and (d) amount of subsidy penalty applied. [130963]
§ Angela EagleThe information has been placed in the Library.