Written question asked by Lord Harper (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 February 2010. It was answered by Helen Goodman (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what her latest estimate is of the monetary value of benefit fraud committed by people living outside the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: [holding answer 8 March 2010]: The amount wrongly paid to customers who are normally resident in United Kingdom but claimed benefits while abroad for longer than the rules allow is available in table 6.1 in the National Statistics report "Fraud and Error in the Benefits System: April 2008 to March 2009" a copy of which is available in the Library. The report can also be accessed online at:"http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd2/fem/fem_apr08_mar09.pdf"To help us reduce this type of fraud we are increasing the number of countries with which we have arrangements for closer working and data sharing.We are also reminding people in the latest Targeting Fraud campaign and in leaflets of their responsibility to tell us if they are going abroad.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 507 c807W; 316398
Session: 2009-10
Related items: Written Questions: Government Responses
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Fraud Social security benefits
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk