HC Deb 27 January 2003 vol 398 cc655-6W
Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what investigations were(a) undertaken and (b) completed in 2002 into fraud in disability living allowance claims. [93559]

Malcolm Wicks

During 2001–02, a total of 2,021 disability living allowance benefit fraud cases were investigated, and of these, 1,172 resulted in identification of an overpayment. In addition, a total of 404 disability living allowance instrument of payment fraud cases were investigated, and of these, 229 resulted in identification of an overpayment.Source: Disability and Carers' Benefit Unit management information.

Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his assessment is of the level of fraud and the amount of money defrauded in disability living allowance in 2002. [93561]

Malcolm Wicks

The most recent assessment of the level of fraud in disability living allowance found confirmed fraud in 1.5 per cent. of cases. This equates to approximately £78 million per year.

Source:

National Benefit Review of Disability Living Allowance, published February 1997.