§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what assessment the Government have made of the impact of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 on(a) the public and (b) the private rented sector; and if he will make a statement; [69490]
(2) what assessment has been made of the impact of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 on public housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement; [69489]
(3) what discussions the Government have had with the Scottish Executive regarding the impact of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 on (a) the public and (b) the private housing sectors in Scotland; what action is planned to address resulting issues; and if he will make a statement. [69488]
§ Malcolm WicksThe Social Security Fraud Act 2001 provides powers for a range of measures to strengthen our fight against benefit fraud, including information gathering, the exchange of information overseas and disqualifying from benefit people convicted of two or more benefit fraud offences within a three-year period. We have not received any report that these provisions are having any impact on the public housing waiting list or the public and private rented housing sector.