HC Deb 18 January 2001 vol 361 cc383-4W
Mr. Kilfoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were prosecuted for social security fraud in each year from 1989–90 to 1999–2000. [145200]

Mr. Rooker

The number of people sanctioned or prosecuted for committing benefit fraud increased by nearly 60 per cent. in 1999–2000 compared to the previous year.

The number of prosecutions over five years old is not available. Such information as is available is in the table.

Year Prosecutions Cautions and penalties as an alternative to prosecution Total
1995–96 10,677 — 10,677
1996–97 12,863 — 12,863
1997–98 12,009 — 12,009
1998–99 11,185 2,835 14,020
1999–2000 9,977 12,332 22,309

Notes:

1. The figures do not include sanctions for benefit fraud by authorities administering Housing and Council Tax Benefits.

2. The Social Security Administration (Fraud) Act 1997 introduced penalties as an alternative to prosecution, these came into effect in December 1998.

Mr. Grieve

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the total cost of benefit fraud in Scotland in each year since 1992 in(a) cash terms and (b) 1999–2000 prices. [145648]

Mr. Rooker

The information requested is not available.

Mr. Grieve

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases of benefit fraud were discovered in each constituency in Scotland in each of the last five years. [145677]

Mr. Rooker

Information on benefit fraud is not available by constituency.

Mr. Grieve

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the level of benefit fraud by(a) number of claimants and (b) value (i) in total and (ii) as a percentage of total benefit payments for each benefit in (A) the UK and (B) Scotland. [145637]

Mr. Rooker

Information on the level of fraud on different benefits is derived from national and area benefit review exercises. Reports on these are placed in the Library as they become available. The latest report, "The Results of the Area Benefit Review and the Quality Support Team from April 1999 to March 2000" (for income support and jobseeker's allowance), was published on 18 January 2001. This contains information on Great Britain as a whole as well as specific information on Scotland.