To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals in the Fraud Strategy Directorate had less than (a) one, (b) two, (c) five and (d) 10 years' direct experience of counter-fraud work before their appointment to the Directorate. [80390]

To develop, implement, audit and evaluate the Government's anti-fraud strategy, the Fraud Strategy Directorate requires people with a variety of skills and experience including knowledge of policy development, Social Security administration, legislation and programme and budget management. Most staff in the Directorate have previously had at least several years experience working in the administration of Social Security and dealing with customers, where countering fraud is the concern of all staff.Thirteen of the 48 staff in the Directorate have had prior experience of working in the field specifically on counter fraud work and their years of experience of this are as follows:Up to 1 year: 1 person1 to 5 years: 2 people2 to 5 years: 6 people5 to 10 years: 3 peopleMore than 10 years: 1 person.