§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what incentives he proposes to give councils to strengthen the numbers of staff engaged in the detection of housing benefit fraud; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BurtMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 12 November a number of measures to encourage local authorities to bear down on housing benefit fraud. From April this year, the level of benefit subsidy for housing benefit fraudulent overpayments will be increased from 25 per cent. to full rate 95 per cent. It is also proposed to allow local authorities to share in any weekly benefit savings above a specified level and836W generated through their anti-fraud efforts. These savings will be paid through the administrative subsidy arrangements.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to refund councils involved in the detection of housing benefit fraud their legitimate overhead costs, legal expenses and any other sums not recompensed by recovery from those convicted of fraud and conspiracy to defraud that council.
§ Mr. BurtI have been asked to reply.
Under present arrangements, there is no specific element in central Government funding, including the amount paid for administration subsidy by the Department, to cover those costs. However, under proposed arrangements from April 1993, authorities will be able to share in any weekly benefit savings, above a specified level, which their fraud staff generate.