§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if his campaign against fraud in social security will include parents with care of children receiving income from a current partner in receipt of benefit; and if he will make a statement. [2450]
§ Mr. HealdWe are concerned to tackle all types of fraud against the social security system, including, where relevant, the non-disclosure of income by benefit recipients.
§ Mr. StottTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what criteria were used to select the areas of Britain to be singled out for investigation by the Benefits Agency special fraud teams. [3381]
§ Mr. HealdThe choice of areas for the Spotlight campaigns is mainly based on the ready availability of the necessary DSS and other resources.
Compactness of the locality is also taken into account.
§ Mr. StottTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost to(a) his Department and (b) the Benefits Agency of the current investigation by the Benefits Agency's special fraud teams. [3382]
§ Mr. HealdThe Department has set aside £3,500,000 for the total costs of the programme of "Spotlight on Benefit Cheats" campaigns. This makes allowance for the costs incurred by the Benefits Agency and other DSS agencies.