§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the benefits integrity programme in respect of disability living allowance will commence; how many benefit recipients will be subject to face to face interviews; when the programme will be completed; and what is the estimated cost of the programme. [6435]
§ Mr. DenhamOne of our key aims is to rebuild integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent. Research indicates that we may be paying £0.5 billion a year to people who are not entitled to receive it.
This is why we have set up the Benefit Integrity Project to focus on those people who are properly entitled to receive it. However, we regard it as essential that disabled people are treated with respect and in an unthreatening way. The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
517WLetter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 8 July 1997:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Benefit integrity Programme.The Benefit Integrity Project formally commenced on 28 April 1997, the first postal enquiries were issued on 6 May 1997. Starting from the end of July a two year programme will commence to visit some 150,000 Disability Living Allowance recipients at home.The project is due to be completed by 31 March 1999, the findings of which will help to inform decisions about future integrity work. It is estimated that the cost of the project will be £10 a year.I hope you find this reply helpful.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by what means increases in the duty on petrol are incorporated into the mobility component of disability living allowance. [6622]
§ Mr. DenhamDisability Living Allowance is increased every year, by law, by the rate of inflation as measured by the movement in the Retail Prices Index (PRI). The basket of goods used to calculate the RPI includes the cost of petrol as well as other motoring costs.