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Benefit Fraud

Volume 170: debated on Monday 2 April 1990

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17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the success rate of detecting those making fake claims for benefit and still working within the black economy; how many officers are deployed nationwide on these duties; and if he will make a statement.

We do not record as a separate category the number of successful fraud investigations against claimants working in the black economy. However, I can say that in 1988–89, the total of successful social security benefit fraud investigations was 238,255, the majority of which involved claimants who were concealing their employment. That effort produced estimated benefit savings of £343 million which reflects the commitment of both this Department and the Department of Employment to maintain a vigorous campaign against those who defraud the social security system.The number of full-time equivalent posts engaged in the investigation of benefit fraud in both Departments in 1988–89 was 4,310.For 1990–91 DSS has set an overall benefit savings target of £320 million against £280 million for the current year. DE has set an investment return target of £3·00 to£3·40 benefit savings for each £1 expended on fraud investigations.