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Written question asked by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 24 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 December 2004. It was answered by Chris Pond (Labour) on Monday, 20 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, how many suspected cases of benefit fraud were (a) referred to and (b) investigated by his Department in each year since 1997. - Inc tables.
Answer

Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many suspected cases of benefit fraud were (a) referred to and (b) investigated by his Department in each year since 1997. [200118] Mr. Pond: The information is in the tables. Number of referrals received _________________________________________________________________________________________________. DWP 1 Local authorities2 Total 1996-97 1,340,000 n/a n/a 1997-98 1,360,000 460,000 1,820,000 1998-99 1,330,000 490,000 182,000 1999-2000 890,000 430,000 1,320,000 2000-01 870,000 460,000 1,330,000 2001-02 740,000 380,000 1,120,000 2002-03 630,000 290,000 920,000 2003-04 540,000 260,000 800,000 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number of cases accepted for investigation _________________________________________________________________________________________________. DWP1 Local authorities2 Total 1996-97 940,000 n/a n/a 1997-98 930,000 400,000 1,330,000 1998-99 920,000 420,000 1,340,000 1999-2000 560,000 350,000 910,000 2000-01 450,000 370,000 820,000 2001-02 400,000 310,000 710,000 2002-03 340,000 200,000 540,000 2003-04 330,000 180,000 510,000 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 Source: Fraud Information By Sector (FIBS), Resource Management and Fraud Business Report. 2 Source: Housing Benefit Management Information System Quarterly Administration Returns April 1996 to March 2004. Notes: 1. The figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 thousand. 2. DWP figures include both Counter Fraud Investigation Service (CFIS) and National Investigation Service (NIS) referrals. 3. Figures for local authorities are not available prior to 1997-98. 4. Figures for non responding local authorities have been estimated. n/a--not available

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
200118; 428 c1428W;428 c1427-8W
Session
2004-05
Subjects
Fraud Social security benefits
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk