§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were involved in fraudulent benefit claims which resulted in the overpayment of £135 million for 1999–2000; how many such benefit claimants received no further benefit from his Department; and if he will make a statement. [125438]
§ Mr. RookerThe "overpayment" figure (or value of losses) for 1999–2000 is currently being collated. It will appear in the Losses Statement of the Vote 1 Appropriation Account due to be signed by the Benefits Agency Chief Executive in August.
653WThe 1998–99 Statement showed losses of £136 million. In addition to overpayments caused by fraudulent benefit claims, this amount includes losses due to other factors such as the writing off of old debts, the miscalculation of entitlement in disability benefits, the change in the payment of hospital in-patients and the duplication of payments of Jobseeker's Allowance by automated credit transfer.
The number of people involved in fraudulent benefit claims, which formed part of the total losses, is not available.
The number of benefit claimants who received no further benefit is not available, as the Benefits Agency does not match past fraudulent claims with new claims.