§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Secuurity if he will consider introducing a system for prosecuting social security fraud involving civil penalties along the lines of those provided for in the Taxes Act; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackIn 1989 an efficiency scrutiny into social security fraud recommended the continued use of prosecution powers in the Social Security Act 1986, or the Theft Act 1968 in more serious cases. We have no plans to change these arrangements. Civil proceedings may also be taken to recover an overpayment of benefit from a fraudulent claim.