Written question asked by Barry Sheerman (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 February 1997. It was answered by Oliver Heald (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 February 1997 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: What is his estimate of the cost of benefit fraud in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the likely savings which will accrue from the initiative Spotlight on Benefit Cheats.

Answer: Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the cost of benefit fraud in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the likely savings which will accrue from the initiative "Spotlight on Benefit Cheats". [14696] Mr. Heald: The overall annual level of detected and undetected benefit fraud is currently estimated at approximately £4 billion. Phase I of the spotlight campaigns, which ran from April to September 1996, generated more than £44 million in benefit savings. Phase II, which ran during November 1996, has generated £40.4 million. Phase III began on 3 February 1997.

Secondary information