Housing Benefit Fraud

HC Deb 05 June 1996 vol 278 cc463-4W

Mr. Bernard Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish a response to the third report of the Social Security Committee of Session 1995–96 on housing benefit fraud HC 90. [31797]

Mr. Lilley

I have today laid copies of the Government's response to the Social Security Select Committee's report "Housing Benefit Fraud" before the House and copies have been placed in the Library. I am also announcing two new measures to reinforce our anti-fraud initiatives. First, we will be setting up a ministerial group on countering benefit fraud, which will focus on cross-Government action and include all Departments with a role in tackling benefit fraud.

Secondly, there will be an improved flow of information from Inland Revenue to DSS officials under section 122 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. The development of data matching to combat serious social security fraud means that the undertaking to limit the transfer of information, given on 22 April 1986, Official Report, column 1603, should be relaxed.

Taken together with other measures, these represent a further considerable step forward in our fight to stop benefit fraud.