§ Mr. SarwarTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the new combined anti-fraud hotline for his Department and Glasgow city council. [145910]
§ Mr. RookerWe are working closely with local authorities to drive up performance standards and reduce losses owing to fraud and error. Glasgow city council is one of 11 local authorities (LAs) across the country which have volunteered to take part in trials with the Benefits Agency of a Shared Fraud Hotline.
This project will trial the extension of the existing BA "Hotline" facility to LAs and determine whether this will lead to increased detection of Housing Benefit fraud and deter people from committing such fraud.
The trials began on 8 January 2001 and are due to finish on 31 March 2001. An evaluation of the trials will take place between April and July with a report expected by August 2001.