Written question asked by Lord Willetts (Conservative) on Thursday, 26 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 May 2001. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Thursday, 3 May 2001 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what evidence he has collated on the impact of the Targeting Fraud advertising campaign on the number of people reported for benefit fraud; and if he will make a statement. - (Holding answer 1 May 2001).

Answer: Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence he has collated on the impact of the Targeting Fraud advertising campaign on the number of people reported for benefit fraud; and if he will make a statement. [159698] Mr. Rooker: [holding answer 1 May 2001]: After years of neglect, we have put in place an effective strategy for tackling benefit fraud. As part of this, the Targeting Fraud advertising campaign is intended to change public attitudes in the longer-term by positively reinforcing honest behaviour, creating a climate of intolerance to benefit fraud and undermining its social acceptability. It is not intended specifically to increase the number of people reported for benefit fraud. An evaluation of the national Targeting Fraud campaign is being conducted and will be published in due course. A report on the pilot stage of the campaign showed that it was successful in changing public attitudes towards benefit fraud.

Secondary information