HC Deb 26 January 1984 vol 52 c701W
Mr. McTaggart

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of prosecutions for social security fraud in the United Kingdom in each year since 1979 and the total amounts of money involved in the frauds for each year.

Dr. Boyson

The number of prosecutions for social and security fraud in the United Kingdom, including those undertaken by the police, Post Office and the Department of Employment, in each year since 1979 is as follows:

Number
1979–80 27,561
1980–81 31,156
1981–82 26,694
1982–83 20,365

Information about the amount of known overpayments or of the total sums involved in the specimen charges raised in cases where prosecutions have been brought is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.