Written question asked by Paul Robert Holmes (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 19 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 November 2004. It was answered by Chris Pond (Labour) on Monday, 1 November 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 incorrect payments of Jobseeker's Allowance were made in each month for the last three years, broken down by (a) age, (b) ethnicity and (c) gender; and if he will make a statement. - Including figures and fact that no breakdown is available by month, age, ethnicity or gender.

Answer: Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many incorrect payments of jobseeker's allowance were made in each month of the last three years, broken down by (a) age, (b) ethnicity and (c) gender; and if he will make a statement. [193261] Mr. Pond: Incorrect payments include both overpayments and underpayments which occur as a result of fraud, customer error and official error. Jobseeker's allowance is paid fortnightly and the following figures therefore refer to fortnightly payments. In 2001-02, we estimate that 3.4 million incorrect JSA payments were made to claimants. The equivalent figure for 2002-03 was 3.2 million. Figures for 2003-04 are not yet available. No breakdown is available by month, age, ethnicity or gender.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 193261; 426 c124-5W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Age Jobseeker's allowance Gender Ethnic groups Maladministration Overpayments Payments
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk