§ Mr. PondWe have introduced the first ever ongoing review of fraud and error in Housing Benefit. The first results will be available later this year. And we have set a firm target to reduce the level of fraud and error in Housing Benefit by 25 per cent. by 2006.
We are already seeing major successes from our work with local authorities to drive out fraud. Latest figures show that, in the last three years, local authorities have increased the number of prosecutions and sanctions for benefit fraud by more than 500 per cent.
§ 20. Mr. Tony ClarkeWhat guidance he gives to local authority housing departments on the speed of payment of housing benefit. [123540]
§ Mr. PondAround four million households depend on Housing Benefit for help with their housing costs. It affects work incentives, choice, mobility and personal responsibility. That is why it is so important that all local authorities deliver Housing Benefit to the highest possible standards.
In March 2002 we introduced national Performance Standards setting out clearly for the first time, the standards of service local authorities should aim to deliver, including targets for speed and accuracy in claims processing.
To help authorities meet these standards, we offer financial and direct practical support such as the Help Team.
Where we have concerns about an authority's performance we can arrange for them to be inspected by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. Furthermore, where a 601W local authority persistently fails to deliver, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State can direct them to improve.
§ Lawrie QuinnTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to improve the administration of housing benefit by local authorities. [123536]
§ Mr. PondWe are committed to driving up standards of Housing Benefit administration across all local authorities. We have already taken significant steps by giving authorities practical and financial help with initiatives like the new Performance Standards and the Help Team, and we are continuing to build on the measures already in place. Furthermore, we will shortly be announcing the first awards from the Performance Standards Fund.
We are now starting to see improvement in the performance of many authorities.
This improvement was reflected in the report of the Local Government Ombudsman for England published last week which showed that the number of complaints about Housing Benefit administration has halved over the last two years.