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To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will list the units in his Department or its agencies whose primary function is (a) counter fraud policy work and (b) fraud investigation and detection. - Inc figures and ref to the strategy paper "A New Contract for...

Asked by

Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Work and Pensions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

11 December 2001

For answer on

8 January 2002

Answered on

8 January 2002

Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the units in his Department or its agencies whose primary function is (a) counter fraud policy work and (b) fraud investigation and detection. [22893] Malcolm Wicks: We set out our strategy for tackling fraud and error in the paper--A New Contract for Welfare: Safeguarding Social Security (CM 4276)-- published on 23 March 1999. The overall aim of the strategy is to have a benefit system which is secure from first claim to final payment. The implementation of this strategy means that an anti-fraud focus is integral to the work of the whole Department, as is dealing with the wider agenda of error and incorrectness in benefit payments. However, there are specific units whose primary function is counter-fraud policy work and fraud investigation and detection. The Fraud Strategy Unit manages the setting and dissemination of fraud policy for the Department's Agencies. In addition the Fraud Head of Profession (through the Professional Standards Unit) sets standards for operational activity and manages guidance and training for investigators in the Department's Agencies. There are 14 groups of investigators in the Department. Serious and organised fraud is addressed by the Benefits Agency Security Investigation Service. This is the operational arm of the Counter-Fraud Investigation Branch, led by the Head of Profession, which includes other units concerned with intelligence, joint working and professional standards. In addition, each of the 13 Area Directors in the Benefits Agency manages a resource of investigators known collectively as the Benefit Fraud Investigation Service (in Scotland, the Benefits Investigation Service).

Date

8 January 2002

Reference

377 c682-3W;377 c685-6W; 22893

House

House of Commons

Dept for Work and Pensions

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will give the budget for (a) 2000-01 and (b) 2001-02 for (i) the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate, (ii) BASIS, (iii) the Fraud Strategy Directorate and (iv) the Professional Standards Unit. - Inc table and ref to the stategy paper...

Asked by

Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Work and Pensions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

11 December 2001

For answer on

8 January 2002

Answered on

8 January 2002

Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will give the budget for (a) 2000-01 and (b) 2001-02 for (i) the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate, (ii) BASIS, (iii) the Fraud Strategy Directorate and (iv) the Professional Standards Unit. [22899] Malcolm Wicks: We set out our strategy for tackling fraud and error in the paper--A New Contract for Welfare: Safeguarding Social security (CM 4276)-- published on 23 March 1999. The overall aim of the strategy is to have a benefit system which is secure from first claim to final payment. The implementation of this strategy means that an anti-fraud focus is integral to the work of the whole Department, as is dealing with the wider agenda of error and incorrectness in benefit payments. The remit of the four units specified in the question does not therefore represent the full extent of the Department's counter- fraud strategy. The information available is in the table. £ _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 2000-01 2001-02 Benefit Fraud Inspectorate 5,866,200 6,002,928 BASIS 13,200,778 11,205,000 Fraud Strategy Directorate/Unit {1}-- 2,463,209 Professional Standards Unit {1}-- 2,734,000 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Departmental re-organisation means it is not possible to compare directly one year with another nor to accurately break down the costs to allow an equal comparison.

Date

8 January 2002

Reference

377 c683W;377 c686W; 22899

House

House of Commons

Dept for Work and Pensions

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff BASIS has employed in each area for each of the past 12 months; what is the full complement of staff at each BASIS office; how many of these posts are vacant; and how many staff at each...

Asked by

Lord Willetts (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Work and Pensions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

29 June 2001

For answer on

13 July 2001

Answered on

13 July 2001

Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff the Benefits Agency Security Investigations Service has employed in each area for each of the past 12 months; what is the full complement of staff at each BASIS office; how many of these posts are vacant; and how many staff at each area office have been with BASIS for 12 months or more. [2260] Malcolm Wicks: The information is in the tables. The Counter Fraud Investigation Branch is committed to bringing staffing up to full strength in the next quarter and is currently recruiting. BASIS staff employed in each area for the past 12 months _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 2000 2001 Teams May June July August Septemb October Novembe Decembe January Februar March April May er r r y Hinchley Wood 60 60 58 58 58 55 55 53 52 53 53 53 56 Canons Park 44 45 46 47 47 49 48 48 50 50 50 46 45 Birmingham 19 21 20 19 20 20 19 19 22 19 20 20 20 Nottingham 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 18 18 Leeds 19 19 19 18 18 20 20 21 21 21 21 21 22 Manchester 18 18 18 17 21 19 19 20 20 20 20 21 21 Cardiff 15 15 16 15 15 15 16 17 17 18 17 15 15 Liverpool 17 17 18 18 18 18 19 19 20 20 20 20 20 Newcastle 17 17 17 19 19 19 19 19 19 21 21 22 21 Glasgow 21 21 18 18 18 21 19 19 19 19 19 18 18 Total 247 250 247 246 251 253 251 252 258 259 259 254 256 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Complement of BASIS staff at each office and vacant posts _________________________________________________________________________________________________. BASIS teams Complement of staff Vacancies declared Hinchley Wood 69 13 Canons Park 69 24 Birmingham 21 1 Nottingham 21 3 Leeds 21 0 Manchester 21 0 Cardiff 21 6 Liverpool 21 1 Newcastle 21 0 Glasgow 21 3 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number of staff employed within BASIS for 12 months or more _________________________________________________________________________________________________. BASIS teams Number of staff Hinchley Wood 42 Canons Park 34 Birmingham 14 Nottingham 18 Leeds 18 Manchester 14 Cardiff 12 Liverpool 14 Newcastle 12 Glasgow 14 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Notes: 1. These figures include both administrative and investigative staff employed by BASIS. 2. Figures above as of May 2001.

Date

13 July 2001

Reference

2260; 371 c692W

House

House of Commons

Deposited Paper HDEP 2001/062

Deposited by

Department of Social Security

Type

Deposited papers

Date

26 February 2001

Reference

HDEP 2001/062

House

House of Lords

Dept of Social Security;Social Security Benefits Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many members of BASIS's Business Development Team are (a) under investigation for suspected fraud and (b) not discharging duties for some other reason. - Inc text of letter from Peter Mathison of Benefits Agency.

Asked by

Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour)

Answering body

Social Security Benefits Agency

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

2 February 2000

For answer on

14 February 2000

Answered on

14 February 2000

Mr. Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many members of BASIS's Business Development Team are (a) under investigation for suspected fraud and (b) not discharging duties for some other reason. [108960] Mr. Rooker: This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend. Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Frank Field, dated 11 February 2000: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many members of BASIS's Business Development Team are (a) under investigation for suspected fraud and (b) not discharging duties for some other reason. The Business Development Team provides a number of support services for the rest of BASIS and currently has 27 staff. All allegations and suspicions of fraud on the part of Benefits Agency (BA) staff are properly considered and fully investigated. Whilst some investigations do unearth irregularities on the part of the staff and result in various penalties for those involved, many establish that the individuals have acted with propriety and are not involved in inappropriate activities. It is important that investigations of this kind remain confidential, not only to protect innocent staff, but also to avoid alerting fraudulent staff to the fact that their activities are being examined. I hope you will accept therefore that it would be inappropriate to provide you with any details of investigations of suspected fraud by BA staff that may currently be underway. Information on fraud detected on the part of BA staff is available in Her Majesties Treasury Return published in January 2000. There are no members of the BASIS's Business Development Team that we would regard as not discharging their duties. I hope this is helpful.

Date

14 February 2000

Reference

344 c433-4W; 108960

House

House of Commons

Dept of Social Security;Social Security Benefits Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, for each quarter since BASIS was formed how many fraud cases compiled by BASIS's National Intelligence Unit (a) were forwarded to the police investigation and (b) resulted in a prosecution; what were the responsibilities and achievements of BASIS's Business Development Team...

Asked by

Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour)

Answering body

Social Security Benefits Agency

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

25 January 2000

For answer on

31 January 2000

Answered on

31 January 2000

Mr. Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) for each quarter since BASIS was formed how many fraud cases compiled by BASIS's National Intelligence Unit (a) were forwarded to the police investigation and (b) resulted in a prosecution; [107444] (2) what were the responsibilities and achievements of BASIS's Business Development Team for each of the last five years. [107445] Mr. Rooker: This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my right hon. Friend. Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Frank Field, dated 28 January 2000: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking for each quarter since BASIS was formed how many fraud cases compiled by BASIS's National Intelligence Unit (a) were forwarded to the police investigation and (b) resulted in a prosecution, and what were the responsibilities and achievements of BASIS's Business Development Team for each of the last five years. The Benefit Agency Security Investigation Service (BASIS) exists to counter the threat of organised and serious fraudulent attacks on the benefit system. The team's priority is to prevent and deter fraud. It is part of the Security Branch whose role is to promote the development and provision of secure and accurate services in the Benefits Agency. The National Intelligence Unit (NIU) provides intelligence for BASIS in the Security Branch and links with other risk management teams. It does not refer investigations to the Police because all intelligence and information is referred to either BASIS Operational Teams or relevant BA sections. The NIU exists to support the Benefits Agency through; gathering and analysing information; referring the gathered intelligence to the appropriate BASIS investigation team, via the Analyst Unit; it also acts as a multi agency link to other Government Departments. BASIS does not refer cases of benefit fraud to the police for investigation. If during an investigation the need to involve the police arises the team will contact them and appraise them of the situation. At this point a joint operation may be conducted. BASIS officers would concentrate on benefit fraud whilst the police may look at other linked criminal activity. There are no figures kept for prosecutions resulting from joint operations. However, in 1998-1999 BASIS prosecuted 666 cases of benefit fraud with a 96% successful conviction rate. The BASIS Business Development Team (BDT) was established in March 1999 with the appointment of a Business Development Manager. The BDT is a small team which exists to support BASIS in improving its business processes and to support the team in meeting the objectives of the Agency and Department. The most notable achievements of the BDT in the eleven months of its existence are improvements in processes such as expenditure and performance accountability, internal security assurance, communication, management checks, industrial relations, training & development, planning and reporting. Work on BASIS terms and conditions and a review of the Guidance Manual has improved clarity around individual entitlement. The current recruitment drive has brought in 50 new staff to date. The IT strategy for this year is on course to upgrade our capability throughout the Section and other equipment is being standardised and renewed. Moreover, the work of the BDT has allowed the Operational and BASIS National Intelligence Unit managers to apply a greater focus on the core business of investigation, detection, deterrence and prevention of organised and serious fraud against the benefits system. I hope this is helpful.

Date

31 January 2000

Reference

343 c469-70W;343 c470-1W; 107444;107445

House

House of Commons

Dept of Social Security

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many staff BASIS have employed in each area for each of the last 12 months; what is the full complement of staff at each BASIS office; and on 1st December how many of these posts were vacant; how many BASIS...

Asked by

Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Social Security

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

15 December 1999

For answer on

10 January 2000

Answered on

10 January 2000

Mr. Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many staff BASIS have employed in each area for each of the last 12 months; [103482] (2) what is the full complement of staff at each BASIS office and on 1 December how many of these posts were vacant; [103483] (3) how many BASIS staff at each area office have been with BASIS for 12 months or more. [103485] Mr. Rooker: The information is in the tables. Number of staff BASIS have employed in each area for each of the last 12 months _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Business Development Southern Northern National Intelligence Team 1998 December 33 144 83 28 1999 January 33 143 83 27 February 31 146 83 31 March 33 143 82 31 April 34 138 79 39 May 34 139 79 44 June 37 138 77 44 July 34 139 76 43 August 33 154 74 50 September 34 143 73 52 October 32 148 71 53 November 35 147 74 57 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Numbers for the full complement of staff at each BASIS office and the number of vacancies _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Office/Team Full complement Staff in post Vacancies Business Development Team (BDT): BDT 34 35 0 Southern area: Nottingham 19 17 2 Birmingham 19 17 2 Cardiff 19 15 4 London: Team 1 21 21 0 Team 2 21 16 5 Team 3 21 14 7 Team 4 21 14 7 Team 5 21 15 6 Team 6 21 16 5 Northern area: Scotland 19 16 3 Newcastle 19 12 7 Leeds 19 18 1 Manchester 19 18 1 Liverpool 19 10 9 National Intelligence Unit: Identity Fraud Management Unit 26 21 5 Financial Investigation Unit 5 3 2 Giro Validation 16 6 10 National Intelligence Unit 29 27 2 Totals 388 311 {1}78 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} A further recruitment exercise was carried out throughout October and November 1999. The interviews will be taking place in the next few weeks with a view to filling the vacancies. Numbers of BASIS staff at each area office have been with BASIS for 12 months or more _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Team Number Business Development Team 15 Southern 99 Northern 53 National Intelligence 15 _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Date

10 January 2000

Reference

342 c80-1W; 103482;103483;103485

House

House of Commons

Dept of Social Security;Benefits Agency Security Investigation Service

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many Benefits Agency Security and Investigation Service staff are employed in each administrative region; how many job vacancies in the Service currently exist in each region; and how many of these have existed for more than a year. - Inc...

Asked by

Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Social Security

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

9 June 1999

For answer on

21 June 1999

Answered on

21 June 1999

Mr. Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Benefits Agency Security and Investigation Service staff are employed in each administrative region; how many job vacancies in the Service currently exist in each region; and how many of these have existed for more than a year. [86901] Mr. Timms: Operational matters are the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to my right hon. Friend. Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Frank Field, dated 17 June 1999: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many Benefit Agency Security and Investigation Service (BASIS) staff are employed in each administrative region; how many job vacancies in the Service currently exist in each region; and how many of these have existed for more than a year. As of today's date, BASIS staffing levels are as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Northern Territory Southern Territory Complement 85 136 Current vacancies 17 50 Vacancies existing for one year 9 11 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. The vacancies existing for one year are part of the overall vacancies total, not in addition to it. Five of the above vacancies in the Northern Territory and thirty-one in the Southern Territory are due to the expansion of BASIS' remit. These figures do not include the Identity Fraud Management Unit which did not become part of BASIS until January 1999. I hope that this is helpful.

Date

21 June 1999

Reference

86901; 333 c295-6W

House

House of Commons

Dept of Social Security

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what has been the result of his Department's investigation into the nature and extent of identity fraud. - Inc figures.

Asked by

Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Social Security

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 April 1999

Reference

81092; 329 c520-1W

House

House of Commons

Dept of Social Security

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what steps have been taken towards establishing a criminal intelligence database for fraud investigation in the Benefits Agency and local authorities.

Asked by

Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Social Security

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 April 1999

Reference

329 c521W; 81090

House

House of Commons

Dept of Social Security;Social Security Benefits Agency

(Pursuant to answer on 4 March 1999, 326 c886-7W) To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many arrests have been made in January by Benefits Agency Security Investigation Service Southern Command; (2) what is the current budget for Benefits Agency Security Investigation Service; and of this,...

Asked by

Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative)

Answering body

Social Security Benefits Agency

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

25 March 1999

Reference

328 c391W; 74345;74347;74346

House

House of Commons

Dept of Social Security;Social Security Benefits Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many arrests have been made in January by Benefits Agency Security Investigation Service Southern Command; (2) what is the current budget for Benefits Agency Security Investigation Service; and of this, what proportion is allocated to the (a) Northern and...

Asked by

Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative)

Answering body

Social Security Benefits Agency

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

4 March 1999

Reference

326 c886-7W; 74345;74347;74346

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

If she will list for each of the last five years, the cost to public funds of consultancy work provided by (a) KPMG Peat Marwick, (b) Touche Ross, (c) Price Waterhouse, (d) Ernst & Young, (e) CSL, (f) Prime, (g) Basis, (h) Theodore Goddard, (i) Dibb Lupton Broomhead, (j) Capita...

Asked by

Gwyneth Dunwoody (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

28 June 1994

Reference

245 c503-7W;245 c501-4W

House

House of Commons

Welsh Office

If he will list for each of the last five years, the cost to public funds of consultancy work provided by (a) KPMG Peat Marwick, (b) Touche Ross, (c) Price Waterhouse, (d) Ernst & Young, (e) CSL, (f) Prime, (g) Basis, (h) Theodore Goddard, (i) Dibb Lupton Broomhead, (j) Capita...

Asked by

Gwyneth Dunwoody (Labour)

Answering body

Welsh Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

14 June 1994

Reference

244 c545W

House

House of Commons

Dept of Transport

If he will list for each of the last five years, the cost to public funds of consultancy work provided by (a) KPMG Peat Marwick, (b) Touche Ross, (c) CSL, (d) Prime, (e) Capita (f) Shreeveport, (g) Basis, (h) Theodore Goddard, (i) Dibb Lupton Broomhead, (j) Price Waterhouse and (k)...

Asked by

Gwyneth Dunwoody (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Transport

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

14 June 1994

Reference

244 c512-4W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

Asked by

Gwyneth Dunwoody (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

14 June 1994

Reference

244 c527-8W

House

House of Commons

Scottish Office

Asked by

Gwyneth Dunwoody (Labour)

Answering body

Scottish Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

14 June 1994

Reference

244 c457W

House

House of Commons

Dept of National Heritage

Asked by

Gwyneth Dunwoody (Labour)

Answering body

Department of National Heritage

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

14 June 1994

Reference

244 c450-2W

House

House of Commons

Northern Ireland Office

Asked by

Gwyneth Dunwoody (Labour)

Answering body

Northern Ireland Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

14 June 1994

Reference

244 c446W

House

House of Commons

Dept of Trade and Industry

Asked by

Gwyneth Dunwoody (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

14 June 1994

Reference

244 c419W

House

House of Commons

Librarians' tools

Type

House

Session

Year

Department

Member

Primary member

Answering member

Legislative stage

Legislation

Subject

Publisher