HC Deb 02 February 2004 vol 417 cc731-2W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions the additional powers which provide the authority for his Department to supply information which related to benefit fraud and error to countries outside the UK introduced by the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 have been used in each year since the powers took effect; and if he will list(a) the countries involved and (b) the action that resulted in each of the cases involved. [151023]

Mr. Pond

There are no occasions on which these additional powers have been used.

Section 5 of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 provides for an exchange of information with overseas authorities provided similar legislation has been enacted by that country and that the data handling expertise of the receiving country meets the provision on privacy set out the European Convention of Human Rights.

We have signed an agreement with the Republic of Ireland and will sign an agreement with the Netherlands in the near future that will allow the exchange of information envisaged by Section 5. Although no other agreements have been made at present we have had informal discussions with Germany, France and Spain and have the intention of making agreements across Europe where there is benefit in doing so.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions the additional powers to reduce or withdraw benefits where an offender is convicted twice of benefit offences within a period of three years introduced by the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 have been used in each year since the powers took effect. [151024]

Mr. Pond

The information is not available in the format requested as information is not held on a year by year basis.

To date, 26 people have been convicted of benefit fraud against the Department on two or more occasions. Sanctions have been applied to 11 of these cases, five of which have had their benefit reduced, and a further six have had their benefit withdrawn. A further 12 individuals are not currently in receipt of benefit. Additionally, a further three individuals are due to have their benefits withdrawn after the appeal period allowed has lapsed.