1-3 of 3 results for subject:Sefton
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Year
X
2002
Type
House
Session
Month
Department
Member
Primary member
Answering member
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
Publisher
Deposited by
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Deposited papers
Author
Department for Work and Pensions; Benefit Fraud Inspectorate
Committed on
27 June 2002
Originated on
1 June 2002
Received on
27 June 2002
Subjects
Council tax benefits; Administration; Best value; Housing benefit; Fraud; Inspections; Social security benefits; Standards; Sefton
Commons Library location
DEP 02/1388
Lords Library location
HINF 2002/1451
Date
27 June 2002
Reference
DEP 02/1388
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects to publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Sefton Council. (Dep 02/1388) - Inc figures and fact that Benefit Fraud Inspectorate's (BFI) report on Sefton council in Library.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he expects to publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Sefton Council. (Dep 02/1388) - Inc figures and fact that Benefit Fraud Inspectorate's (BFI) report on Sefton council in Library.
Asked by
Ann Coffey
(Labour)
Answered by
Malcolm Wicks
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
24 June 2002
For answer on
25 June 2002
Answered on
25 June 2002
Ms Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud
Inspectorate in respect of Sefton council. [64865]
Malcolm Wicks: The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate's (BFI) report on Sefton council was published today and copies of the report have
been placed in the Library.
The BFI reports that the council has actively demonstrated a strong commitment towards raising standards within its benefits service
and has many areas of good practice. The report also shows that Sefton has some scope for making improvements.
The report notes that a single housing benefit and council tax benefit claim form had been introduced and that this was broadly in
line with BFI's national model.
Inspectors found that 94 per cent. of the claims examined had been assessed accurately and that the supporting evidence had been
considered. A weakness was identified in the evidence gathered about earnings and capital.
There were some delays in processing renewal claims and inadequate checks on claims that were not renewed. BFI also found that the
council did not have a benefit overpayment policy and lacked the necessary management controls to be assured that overpayments were
dealt with correctly.
The council has taken positive steps to counter benefit fraud. The performance of the counter fraud team was found to be effective,
systematically achieving successful prosecutions although the council had not offered administrative penalties or issued a caution
since introducing its prosecution policy. Investigation work might also be targeted more effectively to increase the number of
benefit frauds detected.
Following a best value review by the council of its benefits services, elected Members had approved new investment to increase the
number of staff allocated to benefits and improvement to IT.
Sefton administered some £73 million in housing benefits in 2000-01.
The report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of housing benefit and
council tax benefit, as well as counter fraud activities.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in
response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.
A BFI best value inspection report on the benefits service is also published today and has been placed in the Library. It examines
the service from a customer service and value for money point of view. For best value, inspectors found that Sefton council provided
a fair or one star benefits service, which would probably improve to be equal to that of high-performing authorities.
Subjects
Abuse; Fraud; Inspections; Social security benefits; Sefton; Benefit Fraud Inspectorate; Sefton Council
Date
25 June 2002
Reference
64865; 387 c836-7W;387 c834-5W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many serving magistrates live in the Knowsley North and Sefton East constituency; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures.
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how many serving magistrates live in the Knowsley North and Sefton East constituency; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures.
Asked by
George Howarth
(Labour)
Answered by
Chris Leslie
(Labour; Co-operative Party)
Answering body
Cabinet Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
23 January 2002
For answer on
29 January 2002
Answered on
29 January 2002
Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many serving magistrates live in the
Knowsley, North and Sefton, East constituency; and if he will make a statement. [30973]
Mr. Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is responsible for the appointment of magistrates in Knowsley and
Sefton has asked me to say that the Knowsley, North and Sefton, East constituency covers two Petty Sessions areas--Knowsley and
South Sefton. 34 magistrates live in this constituency.
Subjects
Magistrates; Knowsley; Sefton
Date
29 January 2002
Reference
30973; 379 c254W;379 c252-3W
House
House of Commons