On behalf of my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) has today announced its phase 18 programme of work.

The authorities that will be inspected are Amber Valley Borough Council, Basildon District Council, Broadland District Council, Colchester Borough Council, London Borough of Haringey, North Shropshire District Council and South Lakeland District Council.

The BFI is an independent unit within the Department for Work and Pensions that inspects and reports directly to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the standard of benefit administration and counter-fraud activity in local authorities and the department itself.