§ Mr. MillerTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of East Riding of Yorkshire council. [30521]
§ Malcolm WicksThe Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) report was published today in respect of East Riding of Yorkshire council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.
BFI found the council was striving to provide an efficient, secure benefits service and to maintain effective counter fraud performance against a background of staffing difficulties and re-organisation.
Overall, inspectors identified many good features in the council's performance and examples of effective work. There was a clear commitment to customer service and efforts had been made to raise levels of fraud awareness throughout the council. Additionally, the council has introduced inspectors powers and the "Do Not Redirect" scheme.
Despite this, the report notes there were a number of areas where performance fell short of requirements. Inspectors consider a key constraint to the council's performance was the high rate of staff turnover and difficulty in maintaining a fully trained complement of staff.
853WInspectors found that the work backlogs resulting from the staffing difficulties were having an adverse effect on standards of service with some delays in processing claims, changes of circumstances and applications for reviews of determinations. Inspectors found the council was addressing shortfalls in performance through a fundamental review of its organisation which included the benefits service.
The report notes that internal and external audit reports had been responded to promptly which inspectors considered was an indication of the council's commitment to maintaining secure systems.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.
§ Mr. MillerTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and pensions when he will publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Plymouth city council. [30522]
§ Malcolm WicksThe Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report was published today in respect of Plymouth city council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.
BFI inspectors report that the benefit service had been through a period of considerable change prior to the inspection, including a restructure, the introduction of a document image processing (DIP) system and a change in political control. In addition, during the BFI inspection, the council was implementing the Verification Framework and managing a backlog. Overall, inspectors consider the benefit service was having difficulty in an environment of major corporate change.
Before the inspection the council had taken steps to secure the gateway to benefit with the introduction of the Verification Framework, a new claim form and a system of management checks. Although the council has service level agreements with the local BA and ES, inspectors found the management of these SLAs was limited.
The report notes that the council works hard to keep payments right with a proactive approach to the follow up of renewal claims and reminders to claimants and landlords of their duty to report changes in circumstances. However BFI considers more could be done to target visiting and tailor benefit periods using risk assessment.
In common with some authorities, the council's overall performance in the management and control of overpayments is poor. Inspectors report that prompt action to identify overpayments is negated by ineffective recovery processes.
Although inspectors found fraud investigation work was poor, the report notes that the council had already recognised this and had introduced various policies, guidance and an extensive training programme aimed at improving the quality of the fraud investigations.
The report concludes that the council has recently made major policy and procedural changes. These changes need to be further developed and implemented before tangible improvements will be realised.
854WMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.