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Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (Maldon District Council)

On behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the BFI inspection report on Maldon district council was published today and copies have been placed in the Library. In 2004–05 Maldon district council administered some £11million in housing benefits, about 50 per cent of its gross revenue expenditure. The council is committed to tackling benefit fraud and its counter-fraud work was well supported by members and senior managers. Demanding targets for fraud work were set and achieved. Investigations were subjected to a thorough checking regime and there was a clear process for authorising and applying sanctions. The council had a good working relationship with the Department's counter-fraud investigation service and had successfully undertaken joint investigations leading to sanctions. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 was strictly adhered to and surveillance activity carried out in accordance with legislation. But the council was not fully complying with the security against fraud and error scheme in that a clear admission to the offence was not obtained before the offer of a caution to the customer. Investigations resulting in administrative penalties and prosecutions were carried out to a high standard, and interviews under caution were conducted in accordance with the relevant legislation. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is considering the report and may ask the council for its proposals in response to BFI's findings.