Written question asked by Colin Pickthall (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 February 2005. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 February 2005 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the percentage of incapacity benefit claims that subsequently proved to be unsubstantiated in the last year for which figures are available. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the percentage of incapacity benefit claims that subsequently proved to be unsubstantiated in the last year for which figures are available. [216337] Maria Eagle: The level of fraud in incapacity benefit is very low, estimated at less than 3 per cent. of expenditure when last measured. Evidence of fraud in incapacity benefit is investigated thoroughly. This resulted in 613 prosecutions in 2003-04.

Secondary information