§ Mr. Ronnie CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the estimated level of social security fraud in Blyth Valley benefits agencies in 1996–97. [28212]
§ Mr. DenhamTackling fraud and abuse is a top priority for the Government.
Questions on Benefits Agency operational matters are the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Ronnie Campbell, dated 17 February 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the estimated level of social security fraud in Blyth Valley Benefits Agencies in 1996–97.The estimate of the number of people claiming fraudulently is informed by an extrapolation from the results of a series of Benefit Reviews. The review programme which commenced in 1994 is looking at the extent of fraud and incorrectness in all major benefits. The reviews were conducted under the previous administration and the definition of fraud used to produce results is currently being evaluated in the light of the Benefit Review Programme.Results from the reviews refer to Great Britain and separate estimates for specific geographical areas are not available. Copies of all the published results of the reviews are available in the Library.An additional indicator is the number of successful investigations. These are cases where, following a fraud investigation, one or more of the following conclusions occurs: benefit is reduced or stopped, an overpayment is calculated or a prosecution instigated.During 1996–97, 1,592 successful fraud investigations into claims administered by the Benefits Agency were carried out by Northumberland Sector Fraud, which at that time included the BA offices at Ashington, Berwick, Blyth and Hexham.I hope you find this reply helpful.
§ Mr. Ronnie CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many families are on(a) income support and (b) family credit in Blyth Valley; [28207]
(2) how many Social Fund funeral payments were awarded in Blyth Valley in each year since 1990; [28209]
(3) how many Social Fund applications for (a) grants and (b) loans have been turned down by local benefits agencies in Blyth Valley since 1994. [28213]
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§ Mr. FieldThe administration of Social Security Benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Ronnie Campbell, dated 17 February 1998:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking how many families are on (a) Income Support and (b) Family Credit in Blyth Valley; how many Social Fund funeral payments were awarded in Blyth Valley in each year since 1990; and how many Social Fund applications for (a) grants and (b) loans have been turned down by local Benefits Agencies in Blyth Valley.The information is not available in the format requested. The Benefits Agency (BA), collates statistics by BA District and these Districts do not correspond to constituency boundaries or specific geographical areas. Such information as is available is in the attached tables.I hope this reply is helpful.
Number of families in receipt of Income Support and Family Credit for the Benefits Agency's (BA's) Northumbria District colspan="2" align="right">Number Number of customers in receipt of Income Support lone parent rate of the family premium as at 30 November 1997 16,678 Families in receipt of Family Credit as at 30 September 19972> 7,022 1 The Income Support data does not include those lone parent customers who are pensioners nor those registered sick who qualify for a higher rate premium such as a pensioner or disability premium. Since October 1996 unemployed customers with partners have claimed JSA. 2 Information relating to the number of customers in receipt of Family Credit is normally only collated on a national basis. However, in September 1997 a scan of the Family Credit computer system was run by BA office. Note:
The information provided relates to the BA's Northumbria District (which includes the offices of Ashington, Berwick, Blyth, Hexham, North Shields and Wallsend). The information is provisional and maybe subject to change.
Social Fund statistics for the Benefits Agency's (BA's) Northumbria District Social Fund applications refused Funeral payments awarded Community Care grants Budgeting loans Crisis loans 1990 134 — — — 1991 148 — — — 1992 222 — — — 1993 281 — — — 1994 282 — — — 1995 292 2788 2916 2494 1996 316 999 919 1,029 1997 313 1.162 1,002 1,423 1 The data provided represent April-December 1990. Information prior to the inception of the BA in April 1990 is not available in this format. 2 Data are only available from April 1995. Prior to this the information requested is not available. Note:
This is the latest available information, it is provisional and maybe subject to change.
The information provided relates to the BA's Northumbria District (which includes the offices of Ashington, Berwick, Blyth, Hexham, North Shields and Wallsend).