§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the proactive elements in the Benefits Agency's approach to the detection of internal fraud; and if he will make a statement. [33785]
§ Mr. HealdThe Benefits Agency security strategy addresses the problem of internal and external fraud. The initiatives of the security strategy, such as new claims visiting and targeted reviews, are effective against both internal and external fraud, and provide a significant deterrent measure. Work has also been undertaken to improve the awareness of staff, and to encourage the reporting of suspicions of fraud.
The Benefits Agency also takes a proactive approach to the detecting of internal fraud. There are several strands to this approach including:
173WSecurity checking—there are a large number of checks in place within the benefit payment and administration processes, which are aimed at providing assurance that processes are as secure as possible, and deterring staff from attempting fraud and detecting quickly frauds which are attempted.
The audit trail analysis system (ATAS)—all of the Department's main computer systems have an audit trail—a record of the activity of users of the systems. ATAS provides a powerful tool for the detection and investigation of internal fraud, enabling suspicious patterns of user activity on computer systems to be automatically selected for investigation, and also providing a means of interrogating audit trail data.
Security specialists have put in place in each district (and some central units) within the agency. Trained in risk analysis, the security specialists are conducting an ongoing analysis to identify areas of potential local vulnerability to internal fraud.
Reports of completed investigations are analysed, and wherever possible the ATAS system used to ensure that no other frauds using a similar method exist. Where investigations highlight weaknesses in procedures or computer systems, the information is used in an on-going processor risk analysis, to inform the programme of system improvements.
§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many staff are employed to investigate internal fraud within the Benefits Agency; and if he will state their grades. [33789]
§ Mr. HealdAt present, there are 35 staff employed on a full-time basis as internal fraud investigators, the large majority of whom are in pay band C3—formerly HEO grade.
There are also approximately 100 further trained investigators within benefit areas and central directorates, who are normally employed on other duties, but who can be called upon to assist with the investigations if required.
In addition to this, there are a number of staff involved in providing support services for internal investigators at a local and national level.
§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the Benefits Agency organised fraud teams are used to investigate internal fraud; and if he will make a statement. [33786]
§ Mr. HealdThe Benefits Agency uses its organised fraud investigation teams to assist in investigations into internal fraud in cases where the teams' specialist skills can be of benefit to the investigation. The large majority of investigations do not require the involvement of organised fraud, but regular and effective liaison exists between internal investigators and organised fraud to ensure that cases with an organised fraud dimension are identified from internal fraud investigations and vice versa, and that the skills of each section are used when appropriate.
§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of state for Social Security what are the formal liaison arrangements between individuals investigating internal fraud by staff administering benefits within the Benefits Agency and those investigating internal fraud by staff administering benefits within local authorities. [33790]
§ Mr. HealdLiaison between internal fraud investigators in the Benefits Agency and those investigating internal fraud by staff administering benefits in local authorities is on a case-by-case basis. Should Benefits Agency internal investigators identify a fraud involving local authority staff, then a framework exists174W which enables the sharing of information and co-operation in any investigation. Likewise, should those responsible for investigating local authority staff identify a fraud involving a Benefits Agency employee, a reciprocal arrangement exists.
In the London area, the London team against fraud, which has a particular interest in local authority internal fraud, is represented at the regular liaison meeting held by the Benefits Agency internal fraud investigators.