Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total advertising budget is for the campaign to urge benefits claimants to report changes in their circumstances; and how much has been spent on (a) television, (b) newspaper, (c) online, (d) radio and (e) other advertising using the phrases call us to update your claim before we call you and benefits are you doing the right thing, in the last 24 months.

Benefit fraud is a crime. Publicity is a vital tool to remind people they must routinely inform the Department if their circumstances change.

In the last year the government recovered more than £1.3 billion in fraudulent payments. Communications plays a vital part in supporting operational activity in achieving this.