Fraud (Hansard, 19 June 2000)

§ 18. Miss Kirkbride
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the level of fraud within the social security system.[124964]
79W

§ Mr. Rooker
Previous estimates have shown that £2 billion a year has definitely been lost through fraud. A further £2 to £3 billion may have been lost in cases where fraud is strongly suspected.
We are now measuring the level of fraud and error, in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance, the two most vulnerable benefits, on a continuous monthly basis. The last figures published by the Government Statistical Service for the 12 months ending March 1999 show the level of fraud and error in these benefits was £1.37 billion or 8.9 per cent. of the total benefit paid.
We have set a target for reducing this fraud and error by 10 per cent. by 2002 and 30 per cent. by 2007.

§ 23. Mr. Leigh
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his progress in tackling social security fraud; and which areas are his priorities.[124970]

§ Mr. Rooker
We are determined to combat fraud and error in the Social Security system.
We have a comprehensive strategy, to safeguard the system from the first to the final payment. For example, we are insisting claimants produce more evidence before Income Support is paid, which will save £1 billion over the Parliament. This comprehensive strategy will help to strengthen public confidence, and thereby encourage their support.

§ 33. Mr. Jack
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many additional fraud inspectors the Benefits Agency has employed since 1997.[124981]

§ Mr. Rooker
The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

Number of staff employed in the Benefit Fraud Investigation Service (BFIS) and in the Benefit Agency Security Investigation Service (BASIS) for the financial years from 1997–98

Year Administration Investigation Total

1997–98 1,069 3,778 4,847

1998–99 1,697 3,776 5,473

1999–2000 1,611 3,699 5,310

All Benefits Agency staff involved in processing and paying benefits have a role in preventing and identifying fraud and abuse.

Number of staff employed in the Benefit Fraud Investigation Service (BFIS) and in the Benefit Agency Security Investigation Service (BASIS) for the financial years from 1997–98
Year	Administration	Investigation	Total
1997–98	1,069	3,778	4,847
1998–99	1,697	3,776	5,473
1999–2000	1,611	3,699	5,310