§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which of the principal and supplementary recommendations in the Scampion report on organised benefit fraud(a) have been accepted, (b) are being considered and (c) have been rejected; if local authorities have been notified of the Scampion report; and if he will place the full text of the report on the internet. [141049]
§ Mr. RookerFollowing the Scampion Report work is under way in the following main areas:
- strengthen the central organised fraud investigation service
- establish a National Benefits Intelligence Unit
- set up joint working agreements with LAs
- replace Weekly Benefit Savings
- take forward and provide an audit trail for supplementary recommendations.
Local authorities have been notified of the Scampion report and have been involved in the consultation process for joint working and the review of subsidy arrangements.
The report will be available on the internet shortly.
§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what working estimate was used by his Department for Housing Benefit fraud; what the level was of detected housing benefit fraud in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [139329]
§ Angela EagleHousing Benefit fraud was not measured prior to 1993. The method of measurement was changed in 1998 as a result of reports by the National Audit Office and Audit Commission. This makes it impossible to make a meaningful comparison across the period.
§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 17 November 2000,Official Report, column 807W, on benefit fraud, if he will set out the specific measures of the direction issued to Northampton Borough Council. [141006]
§ Mr. RookerI have placed a copy of the direction in the Library.