§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the reform of measures against housing benefit fraud. [29758]
§ Malcolm WicksWe are introducing a comprehensive new anti-fraud scheme that provides financial incentives to local authorities to prevent, detect, sanction and prosecute benefit fraud. 63 authorities took on the new scheme in April 2001 and the remaining authorities will join in April 2002.
In addition we are improving funding of the verification framework and breaking it into modules, making it easier for local authorities to introduce it incrementally. In April 2001 we began continuously measuring the levels of fraud 111W and error in housing benefit. We have also developed a new set of standards for assessing local authorities' performance in several areas, including the prevention of housing benefit fraud. We intend to launch the standards in April.
We are also working more closely with local authorities on fraud matters through joint regional boards to improve performance and spread good practice.