§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the policy of the Government in respect of sections 111 and 112 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 as amended by sections 13 and 14 of the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997 with particular reference to the duties of local authority social workers. [29246]
§ Mr. DenhamSections 13 and 14 of the Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997 introduced new offences of dishonest representation and failure to report a change of circumstance. The measures are aimed at people who set out to defraud the benefit system, including those who intentionally collude with claimants to commit Social Security fraud. Third parties, such as social workers and welfare advisers, who act in good faith, have nothing to fear.