§ Baroness Hollis of Heighamasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the target figures and outturn figures for accuracy for Income Support for the years (a) 1992–93; (b) 1993–94; (c) 1994–95 and (d) 1995–96 (target and outturn if available), as measured (i) by internal management checks; and (ii) by the National Audit Office; and what are the estimated costs, or savings, to the taxpayer for each 1 per cent. drop in accuracy below 95 per cent.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish)The administration of income support is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the noble Baroness.
Letter to Baroness Hollis of Heigham from the Change Management Director, Ms Ursula Brennan, dated 22nd April 1996.
As Peter Mathison is away from the office on annual leave at the moment, I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking what were the target figures and outturn figures for accuracy for income 93WA support for the years (a) 1992–93; (b) 1993–94; (c) 1994–95; and (d) 1995–96 (target and outturn if available), as measured (i) by internal management checks; and (ii) by the National Audit Office (NAO); and what are the estimated costs, or savings, to the taxpayer for each 1 per cent. drop in accuracy below 95 per cent.
Available information on targets and outturn are detailed in the attached tables.
It is not possible to make direct comparisons between percentage point improvements in the accuracy rate and the costs to the taxpayer. Causes of error vary considerably as does the monetary value associated with those errors. The overall monetary value of error in 1994–95, based on the NAO assessment, was £728.8 million, consisting of £546.1 million, in overpayment and £182.7 million underpayment of benefit.
I hope you find this reply helpful.
94WA
Table 1: Accuracy Percentage Target and Outturn—Income Support (Based on a Limited check on the most recent action on the case) 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 per cent. per cent. per cent. SofS Target 94 92 92 District Figures 94.50 90.70 90.60 Quality Support Figures1 n/a n/a 86.30 1 Quality Support Teams were established in 1994–95.
Table 2: Accuracy Percentage Target and Outturn-Income Support (Based on a Full check involving checking all aspects of the current payment) 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 per cent. per cent. per cent. per cent. SofS Target n/a n/a n/a 87 Quality Support Figures1 n/a n/a 82.84 78.10 NAO Figures 83.70 83.20 83.90 not yet available 1 Quality Support Teams were established in 1994–95.