Disability Benefit Fraud

HC Deb 29 January 1998 vol 305 c379W

Mr. Oaten

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what sources the Government has evaluated in estimating figures for disability benefit fraud. [25676]

Mr. Denham

One of our key aims is to tackle fraud in order to rebuild confidence in the Social Security system. The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Mark Oaten, dated 28 January 1998: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the sources used to evaluate disability benefit fraud. A review of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) was carried out in 1996. The results of this review were published in February 1997. A random sample of 1,200 DLA customers were interviewed by trained officers. Information was gathered and checked against the original source documents. I hope you find this reply helpful.