Benefit Fraud (Hansard, 12 March 2004)

§ Mr. Pond

The available information is in the tables.

Monetary Value Adjustments (MVA) by DSS/DWP
	MVA (£)
1999–2000	27,948,245
2000–01	22,109,627
2001–02	16,382,983
2002–03	16,057,813

Notes:

1. Figures are rounded to the nearest pound.

2. The Monetary Value Adjustment (MVA) scheme was introduced from 1 April 1999. MVA is the difference between the weekly amount of benefit which would have been paid, or would have continued to be paid, and the benefit paid following the decision-maker's decision on the information gathered.Comparable figures for periods prior to 1999–2000 are not available. Source: Fraud Information by Sector (FIBS).

1799W

Estimated benefit savings from fraud detection by local authorities
	Weekly benefit savings(£)
1997–98	306,400,000
1998–99	215,900,000
1999–2000	167,600,000
2000–01	133,900,000

Notes: 1. The Weekly Benefit Savings (WBS) scheme recorded estimated savings from fraud detection. It is not possible to measure actual savings from fraud detection because it is not possible to know how long the overpayment would have continued for had if not been detected at that point in time. Estimated savings from the WBS scheme are therefore based on the assumption that the overpayment would have continued for 32 weeks had it not been detected. 2. Amounts have been rounded to the nearest £100,000. 3. Local Authority WBS rules were tightened during this period, and the fall in recorded savings may not reflect a fall in actual amounts detected. 4. For local authorities, the WBS scheme was replaced by the Security against Fraud and Error (SAFE) scheme in April 2002, with some local authorities joining in April 2001; therefore figures for WBS savings are not available for 2001–02 onwards. Like WBS, the SAFE scheme provides rewards for detected overpayments. However, it provides rewards for the detection of both fraud and claimant error overpayments. Source: Local Authority returns.