Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 November 2008. It was answered by Tony McNulty (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 November 2008 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much he expects his Department's We're closing in campaign to cost; what estimate he has made of the additional number of fraudulent benefit claimants to be caught as a result of the campaign; and what performance measures have been set for the campaign.

Answer: Expenditure for the ““We're Closing In”” campaign is forecast to be £6 million for 2008-09. The campaign aims to deter benefit thieves from stealing benefits by increasing their perception of the risk and consequences of getting caught. It is not possible to identify separately the additional numbers caught as a result of the campaign. The impact of the campaign will be gauged through tracking research which will measure:"fear of being caught if you commit fraud""awareness of the consequences of being caught"

Secondary information