HC Deb 27 November 1996 vol 286 cc315-6W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost to his Department of Benefits Agency participation in the Spotlight on Benefit Cheats campaign. [5859]

Mr. Heald

The total cost of the first phase of Spotlight on Benefit Cheats campaigns, which ran between April and September 1996, was approximately £5 million. The campaigns were led by the Benefits Agency, and funds were met from the BA security and control programme. The BA's operational costs were approximately £3 million.

The total cost of the second phase of Spotlight on Benefit Cheats campaigns, which is running during November 1996, will be approximately £3 million. The campaigns are led by the BA and funds were met from the BA security and control programme. The BA operational costs will be approximately £2 million.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what funding his Department provided to the police to take part in the Spotlight on Benefit Cheats campaign. [5860]

Mr. Heald

The Department provided no funding for the police to take part in the Spotlight on Benefit Cheats campaign.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost to his Department of the Contributions Agency participation in the Spotlight on Benefit Cheats campaign. [5861]

Mr. Heald

The Contributions Agency's involvement in the first phase of the Spotlight on Benefit Cheats campaign cost £200,000.

It is estimated that the Contributions Agency's involvement in the second phase of Spotlight will cost £180,000.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what funding his Department offered Coventry council to take part in the Spotlight on Benefit Cheats campaign. [5862]

Mr. Heald

Coventry council was not offered any funding to participate in the Spotlight on Benefit Cheats campaign other than via the normal subsidy regime.