5 April 2005 - Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) Inspection Report on Gravesham Borough Council
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Alan Johnson, has today published an inspection report by the BFI on Gravesham Borough Council’s counter-fraud arrangements.
In 2003/04, Gravesham Borough Council administered some £21 million in housing benefits, about 41 per cent of its gross revenue expenditure. Between April 2001 and March 2004 the council raised only two administrative penalties and no formal cautions had been given or prosecutions made. Weaknesses in counter-fraud work included a lack of up-to-date policies and procedures, limited awareness of benefit fraud as an issue and ineffective liaison with Jobcentre Plus and The Pension Service.
The report notes that the council had made significant progress since the appointment of the Benefits Manager and the Fraud and Inspections Manager in July 2004, including the completion of 48 investigations and the administration of 3 sanctions, the recruitment of 4 staff to carry out reviews of postal claims and home visits from October 2004 and plans to recruit 2 more fraud investigators.
The Performance Development Team is now working with the council to help develop a long-term performance improvement strategy for the counter-fraud unit.
BFI is an independent unit within the Department for Work and Pensions that reports directly to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the standard of benefit administration and counter-fraud activity.
Chris Pond, Minister for Housing Benefit and Anti-Fraud, announced the publication of the report in a written ministerial statement.
Notes for editors
- The focused inspection at Gravesham Borough Council included an initial fact finding stage, an on-site visit, and production and clearance of the report. The on-site visit took place during November 2004.
- Each BFI inspection report is considered by the Secretary of State who decides whether any further action is appropriate. The Secretary of State has powers to issue directions to a local authority to secure acceptable or minimum standards in performance.
- Media copies of the BFI inspection report can be obtained from the Department for Work and Pensions Press Office on 020 7238 0866.
- All BFI inspection reports can be found on the BFI website.
Department for Work and Pensions Press enquiries: 020 7238 0866
BFI Press enquiries: 01423 83 2938
Out of hours: 07659 108883
Public enquiries: 020 7712 2171
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk