HC Deb 07 September 2004 vol 424 c1120W
Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress he has made in achieving his anti-fraud targets. [186522]

Mr. Pond

We have set firm targets to reduce fraud and error and have already had considerable success. Our latest figures show that since 1997 we have reduced fraud an# error in income support and jobseekers allowance by 29 per cent. This is against our target of reducing fraud and error in these benefits by 33 per cent. by March next year and by 50 per cent. by March 2006.

For the first time, we have established a continuous measurement of the level of fraud and error in housing benefit with a target to reduce fraud and error in housing benefit by 25 per cent. by 2006.

The latest assessment of the levels of fraud and error in housing benefit were published in "Fraud and Error in Housing Benefit, April 2002 to September 2003" on 12 August 2004. Copies of the report are in the Library.