§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux on its implementation of fraud prevention methods, with particular regard to local authorities. [37463]
§ Malcolm WicksThe Department has consulted with the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux during the development of performance standards for housing benefit. The standards set out the requirements for providing secure and effective housing benefit and council tax benefit administration and counter-fraud activity.
The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate will be consulting the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux in the near future over the revision of the model claim form for housing benefit and council tax benefit. A revised version of the form will be issued to all local authorities in April this year.
§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of claimants found to have made fraudulent social security claims were prosecuted in (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01. [31151]
§ Malcolm WicksThe information is not available in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the cost to its budget since 1 May 1997 of fraud; and if he will make a statement. [27301]
§ Malcolm WicksWe are taking determined steps to combat internal fraud. We have published an internal fraud policy that sets out staff responsibilities, and appointed a senior accountable officer and a supporting central probity team. There are also security specialists and staff to investigate suspected internal fraud vigorously when it arises. We know that the overwhelming majority of staff are completely honest and trustworthy, and instances of internal fraud are not common, but we remain vigilant.
The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in the current financial year.
The available information for the Employment Service, as recorded by the former Department for Education and Employment, and for the former Department of Social Security is in the tables.
1260W
Internal and contractor fraud in the Employment Service by financial year £ 1997–98 972,42.00 1998–99 54,107.01 1999–2000 45,621.83 2000–01 3,023.20
Internal fraud in the former Department of Social Security by financial year £ 1997–98 942,378.74 1998–99 443,964.03 1999–2000 416,967.11 2000–01 71,112.34