§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the savings that will accrue from the benefit integrity project for(a) the current year and (b) subsequent years. [6326]
§ Mr. FieldOne of our key aims is to restore confidence in the benefits system by tackling fraud and ensuring value for taxpayers" money. Questions on Benefits Agency operational matters are the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. I have asked him to write directly and for his reply to be published with this answer.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Burstow dated 7 July 1997:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding the estimate that has been made of the savings that will accrue from the Benefit Integrity Project for (a) the current year and (b) subsequent years.The estimated programme expenditure savings attributed to the Benefit Integrity Project for the current year are £27m. Savings for the years 1998/99 and 1999/2000 are estimated to be £40m and £35m respectively.I hope you find this reply helpful.