§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the cost of social security fraud in the Ribble Valley was in each of the years between 1994 and 2000, broken down by type of benefit. [132725]
§ Mr. RookerSince 1998, Area Benefit Reviews (ABRs) have provided a continuous measurement of fraud and error in Income Support (IS) and Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). It is currently not possible to provide a breakdown for other benefits.
Prior to 1998 no attempt was made to measure fraud in the Social Security system on the basis of areas and type of benefit.
Fraud figures are now available for each of the Benefits Agency's 13 Area Directorates (ADs). It is not possible to provide estimates of levels of fraud for specific towns, cities, counties or constituencies. Ribble Valley is part of AD8, which stretches from Liverpool and Chester in the south up to Workington in the north.
The ABR results estimate that the level of fraud in AD8 for the year ending September 1998 was £66 million, £47 million for IS and £19 million for JSA.
For the year ending September 1999, the figure reduced to £53 million, £37 million for IS and £16 million for JSA.
§ Ms KellyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the report of the second inspection by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate of the London borough of Croydon. [133413]
§ Mr. RookerThe report by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate of the second inspection of the London borough of Croydon has been published today and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.
The BFI previously reported on the London borough of Croydon in March 1999. Since then the authority has responded positively to their recommendations, introducing the verification framework, providing more training for benefit staff and investigating items of post returned under the 'Do Not Redirect' mail scheme.
Inspectors also found that Croydon had improved working practices, verification procedures and how greater assurance that claims it pays are valid. This has contributed to Croydon administering 15 per cent. fewer claims and a fall in benefit expenditure of over £6 million in 1999–2000.
Although Croydon has made progress the report states it can do more to improve the security of benefit administration. This involves more rigorously applying sanctions, such as prosecutions and administrative penalties to make fraudsters pay for their actions and using all counter fraud measures available under new statutory powers, such as appointing inspectors.
605WThe report provides recommendations aimed at helping the council address existing weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as counter fraud activities.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for their proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.