§ Mrs. Ann CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if her Department will use its information technology network to co-ordinate payments made by different branches of her Department and its agencies in order to avoid overpayments of benefit. [42045]
§ Mr. Keith BradleyThe Department continues to exploit the opportunities provided by information technology to deliver significant improvements to the accuracy of its payment mechanisms. In launching the Active Modern Service programme, the Department reiterated its commitment to ensuring that people with a genuine claim to benefit receive their correct entitlement, paid at the correct time and for the correct amount.
The programme of work currently under way incorporates the development and design of integrated Information Technology Systems to allow speedier access to information held across the Department.
The structure of future customer records will be around individual customers, as opposed to the benefits they claim. This will provide a complete picture of the customers dealings with the Department and reduce the scope for fraud, inaccuracy and inconsistency. Each individual customer record will contain details of payments made and moneys owed.
Rigorous financial controls of each individual transaction will enable better accounting and speedier action to recover debt.