Benefits System (Fraud and Error)

Monday 18th October 2010 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain Duncan Smith)]

I am today publishing “Tackling fraud and error in the benefit and tax credits systems” a new joint DWP and HMRC strategy. This will be followed by a wider cross-government approach to tackling fraud, error and debt collection across the rest of the public sector being led by the Minister for the Cabinet Office. This strategy contains proposals to reduce significantly the level of fraud and error in the welfare system. It contains measures to prevent fraud and error from the outset of any claim; root out and correct mistakes where they do happen; deliver tough punishments for those who defraud the system; and deter those who would try to abuse the system in future.

Copies of the report will be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.