HC Deb 26 April 1993 vol 223 cc307-8W
12. Mr. Knapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals his Department has to reduce fraudulent claims for social security benefits.

Mr. Lilley

For 1993–94 I have set a target for fraud identified and stopped by the Benefits Agency and by local authorities administering housing benefit and council tax benefit of nearly £1 billion.

27. Mr. David Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many prosecutions have been brought for social security fraud in the last five years.

Mr. Burt

In the five years ended March 1993 more than 34,000 people were prosecuted for social security fraud.

28. Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures his Department is taking to tackle fraud and the abuse of benefits.

Mr. Burt

The Benefits Agency will be building upon the excellent base established in 1992–93, when over £500 million of fraud savings were achieved. Among the initiatives planned for this year are the deployment of more investigators and greater use of new technology. In addition, new financial incentives for local authorities are expected to result in a clamp down on housing benefit and council tax benefit fraud.