Written question asked by Lord Howarth of Newport (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 March 1997. It was answered by Oliver Heald (Conservative) on Monday, 3 March 1997 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: What was the amount of housing benefit fraud detected by local authorities during 1995-96; how many claimants were involved; what was the average amount of overpaid benefit per claimant; and how many prosecutions were instigated in that year. - Inc figures, but not in form requested.

Answer: Mr. Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the amount of housing benefit fraud detected by local authorities during 1995-96; how many claimants were involved; what was the average amount of overpaid benefit per claimant; and how many prosecutions were instigated in that year. [16665] Mr. Heald: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows. The amount of housing benefit fraud detected by local authorities in 1995-96 was £186 million{1}. There were 114,300 overpayments, totalling £43 million, which were attributable to fraud{2}. Figures on the number of prosecutions instigated are currently being processed and will be available in early March. Notes: {1} Based on the weekly benefit savings method of accounting. No central records are kept of the number of claimants involved in detected housing benefit fraud. {2} The number of overpayments does not reflect the number of claimants involved in each fraud, so it is not possible to give an average amount per claimant. Source: Local authority 1995-96 subsidy claims.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 16665; 291 c527-8W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Abuse Housing benefit Fraud Expenditure Local government Overpayments Prosecutions Recipients Social security Social security benefits
Contains statistics: Yes