Written question asked by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 7 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 December 2004. It was answered by Chris Pond (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 December 2004 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has undertaken of the likely impact of identity cards on benefit fraud; and if he will place copies of the written assessments that he has undertaken in the Library. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has undertaken of the likely impact of identity cards on benefit fraud; and if he will place copies of the written assessments that he has undertaken in the Library. [204056] Mr. Pond: We have not conducted a specific assessment that would allow us to make an estimate of the savings in benefit fraud from the introduction of a national identity card. However, a study on identity fraud by the Cabinet Office, published in 2002, estimated that up to £50 million per year of benefit fraud was a result of identity fraud. This figure was derived from Regional Benefit Review data collected from jobseeker's allowance and income support claims. This amount was used to inform the Home Office feasibility study into the impacts of the proposed identity card scheme. The introduction of an identity card would have a significant impact, by removing the bulk of this loss. Furthermore, we anticipate that there would be an additional deterrent effect from the introduction of an ID card.

Secondary information