§ Lord Ashley of Stokeasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many additional interviewers for the benefit integrity project they have appointed and how many more will be appointed;
What restrictions have been given to interviewers on the benefit integrity project and whether target figures for savings have been given or suggested;
How many disabled people have been interviewed since the benefit integrity project began and what proportion have had their benefits cut or removed;
How much money disabled people have lost and the Government gained since the benefit integrity project began; and
What steps have been taken under the benefit integrity project to assess the amount of under claiming and under payment and with what results.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)One 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. We need to focus on those who are properly entitled to benefit. This is why we have set up the benefit integrity project. The administration of the benefit integrity project is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the noble Lord.
144WALetter to Lord Ashley of Stoke from the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Mr. Peter Mathison, dated 19 December 1997.
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions regarding the benefit integrity project (BIP).
The BIP was set up in April 1997 using existing staff from within the agency. The BIP is conducting a programme of visits to people receiving disability living allowance (DLA) at the higher rate of mobility combined with the highest rate of care. To undertake these visits the Benefits Agency (BA) currently employs 99 staff located in 10 disability benefit centres (DBC's) in England and Scotland. In Wales, 31 staff located at BA district offices have been trained to undertake the visits, as part of their duties. There are plans to increase the number of staff at Bootle DBC by one.
The role of BIP visiting officers is to obtain an up to date, factual statement of circumstances from the disabled person; they play no direct part in the adjudication process. therefore, they have not been set targets for savings. It is important to stress that BIP is a measure designed to address incorrectness within DLA rather than stopping benefit. Adjudication officers are required to make the correct decision on any case they handle and have no financial target to achieve.
As at 30 November 1997, the number of people interviewed since the BIP began is 5,348 of whom 10.62 per cent. (568) have had their benefit reduced or disallowed entirely. A further 22,163 people have been dealt with by postal enquiry of whom 13.19 per cent. (2,923) have had their benefit reduced or disallowed entirely.
As at 30 November 1997, the total amount of weekly benefit payments identified as incorrect has resulted in reductions amounting to £150,603.00 per week and increases amounting to £10,744.80 per week.
The BIP is only looking at DLA awards of the higher rate mobility component combined with the highest or middle rate of the care component, thus the scope for increasing awards is limited. However, any evidence obtained from DLA customers which indicates an increased need is placed before the adjudication officer and where appropriate that award is increased. To date 657 awards of middle rate care have been increased to highest rate care—amounting to £10,744.80 per week. There has been no assessment of the total amount of under claiming and under payment under BIP.