§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many(a) Benefits Agency staff and (b) Jobcentre Plus staff have been (i) disciplined, (ii) suspended, (iii) dismissed, (iv) prosecuted and (v) convicted for matters relating to benefit fraud in 2002–03; and how much benefit was defrauded in each case. [112331]
§ Malcolm WicksInformation is not available in the exact format requested. Such information as is available is shown in the table. The table shows the value of fraud where known, and the outcome of the investigation where the member of staff was disciplined, dismissed, prosecuted or convicted. Where an amount is not shown in the table, either it has been not been possible to determine a value, or the overpayment is still being calculated.
The functions of the former Benefits Agency were subsumed into Jobcentre Plus, The Pension Service and the Disability and Carers Service from March 2002. All the staffwho were disciplined or prosecuted for these matters were Jobcentre Plus staff.
The Department treats most seriously any allegations that a member of staff is involved in benefit fraud, and refers appropriate cases for prosecution and disciplinary action.
In addition to these cases, a further four members of staff resigned before action was completed.
Staff disciplined/prosecuted for involvement in benefit fraud 2002–2003
Outcome Value (£s)
Officer dismissed 5,300 Officer dismissed — Written reprimand and banned from progression for two years 1,807 Officer dismissed — Officer prosecuted and sentenced to 27 months in prison 135,000 Officer dismissed and prosecuted with custodial sentence 2,666 Officer dismissed, prosecution pending 2,600