25 August 2005 - Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) Inspection Report on Caerphilly County Borough Council
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, David Blunkett, has today published an inspection report by the BFI on Caerphilly County Borough Council.
In 2003/04, Caerphilly County Borough Council administered some 41 million pounds in housing benefits, about 18 per cent of its gross revenue expenditure. Overall, BFI found the council was performing to a fair standard in its housing benefit and council tax benefit administration and counter-fraud activities. While there were some strengths it did not meet any of the seven functional areas of Performance Standards. The council had not implemented some significant recommendations made in BFI’s first inspection report published in November 2002 even though Internal and External Audit had repeated those recommendations.
Although the council was reporting times for its processing of new claims that put it in the top quartile, procedural errors meant that the council was paying claims before all the necessary evidence had been obtained from the customer.
The council recovered a high proportion of overpayments, but the findings showed procedural errors that meant that some recoveries were being made from the wrong person and at the wrong rates. The council did not prioritise the recovery of fraud overpayments.
The council had secured 54 sanctions against fraudsters between April 2004 and February 2005 which is good progress.
To ensure it provides an effective and secure Benefits service, the council must ensure that the recommendations from this inspection are implemented.
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.
James Plaskitt, Minister for Housing Benefit and Anti-Fraud, announced the publication of the report in a written ministerial statement.
Notes to Editors
- 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 – www.bfi.gov.uk.
Department for Work and Pensions Press enquiries: 020 7238 0866
BFI Press enquiries: 01423 83 2982
Out of Hours: 07659 108 883
Public enquiries: 020 7712 2171
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk