News from DWP
This page brings you DWP news and announcements. It also includes important changes to our websites and publications we have added. If you want to find out about something from a previous period, please go to the archive.
Latest news
5 April 2007: New technology to strengthen fight against benefit fraud
A pilot of a new process involving ground-breaking technology to catch out benefit thieves and improve service for benefit customers was announced by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions John Hutton today.
Voice Risk Analysis (VRA) technology enables trained operators to identify suspect cases at the start of a claim, helping to keep fraud out of the benefit system.
John Hutton said:
“The vast majority of people who receive benefits are genuinely entitled to them. However, there is a minority who are intent on stealing money from those who need it most.
“This technology-based process aims to tackle these fraudsters while speeding up claims and improving customer service for the honest majority.”
2 April 2007: £32 million for cities to tackle worklessness – Hutton
Fifteen areas across Britain will be given £32 million in a groundbreaking scheme to give local areas more control over plans to tackle worklessness, Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton announced today.
Speaking at a back-to-work scheme in Brent which is part of the West London pathfinder, John Hutton said:
“We launched the Cities Strategy because local people and local groups know best how to tackle the problems of worklessness in their area. The 15 areas involved in the scheme have come up with their own new ideas to get people back to work, so I am very pleased today to be able to announce that they will receive £32 million from the Deprived Areas Fund to carry out their plans. “