29th June 2005 - Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) Inspection Report on South Cambridgeshire District Council
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, David Blunkett, has today published an inspection report by the BFI on South Cambridgeshire District Council's counter-fraud arrangements.
In 2002/03, South Cambridgeshire District Council administered some £15.5 million in housing benefits, about 21 per cent of its gross revenue expenditure. BFI assessed the council against the Performance Standards for Counter-fraud and the Internal and External Audit elements of Strategic management and found that the council was not at Standard. Strategically there were some areas of good practice, including a clear corporate vision, but this was not fully reflected in operational plans, policies or local targets.
The council gave a high priority to combating benefit fraud. The Fraud team was well trained and experienced and had been successful in securing several high profile prosecutions.
However, the report notes serious concerns over some of the council's working practices, including weaknesses in management checking and failure to use management information. Authorised officers' powers were used routinely to obtain information from third parties. No monitoring of these activities was undertaken to ensure compliance with legislation and several breaches of these powers were identified during the inspection.
There were also breaches of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and evidence that the council was not fully complying with the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 1998.
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, anti-fraud Minister, 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
0758
BFI Press enquiries 01423 83 2982
Out of Hours 07659 108883
Public enquiries 020 7712 2171