25 August 2005 - Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) Inspection Report on East Dunbartonshire Council
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, David Blunkett, has today published an inspection report by the BFI on East Dunbartonshire Council’s claims administration.
In 2004/05 East Dunbartonshire Council administered some 48 million pounds in housing benefits, about 31 per cent of its gross revenue expenditure. The council was selected for a focused inspection of claims administration because it reported that it was taking 92 days to process new claims for the quarter ending 30 September 2004.
BFI found that the council did not meet any of the Performance Standards relating to claims processing, but that it was processing new claims in an average of 42 days against the Standard of 36. The figure of 92 days that the council had been reporting was wrong because the council had made errors in processing and data input, leading to overstatements of the time taken to process claims. Existing arrangements to monitor the delivery of targets and plans do not provide sufficient assurance about the levels of performance actually being achieved.
The council’s claim form did not meet the requirements of the Department’s HCTB1 claim form. The council had adopted the Department’s Verification Framework but to comply with the Framework, improvements need to be made.
BFI noted a clear commitment to improve performance. The council plans to implement all of the recommendations made in the BFI report.
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