§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what means he will use to ensure that the information collected by local authorities to meet the reporting requirements of the housing benefit best value performance indicators for 2000–01 is(a) verifiable and (b) accurate. [116114]
§ Angela EagleBest value performance indicators will from this April be the main yardstick against which local authorities' performance is judged. Authorities are required to set out each year in published best value performance plans details of past performance against the indicators and challenging targets for future improved performance. These plans and the performance information they contain are subject to statutory audit.
Auditors are responsible for ensuring that authorities have adequate systems in place for producing accurate performance data. In addition, the Department has made arrangements for performance data to be reported periodically by authorities as part of the normal provision of Housing Benefit management information. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has recently announced his intention to use his statutory powers to compel authorities to provide this information. Guidance on the Housing Benefit indicators and revised statistical forms were issued by the Department to all authorities last December.
The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate will also test the robustness of local authority performance data both as part of its on-going cycle of inspections of Housing Benefit administration, and in its role as a best value inspectorate.