Fraud and error in the benefits system: Committee taking evidence

• Inquiry: Fraud and error in the benefits system
• Parliament TV: Watch the meeting online
• Work and Pensions Committee

The Committee will hear evidence from witnesses representing local authorities and housing associations. The session is intended to examine:

• The effectiveness of local authorities in tackling Housing Benefit fraud and error;
• Joint working and data-sharing between local authorities, housing associations and central government; the potential to increase joint working to reduce Housing Benefit fraud and error; and the potential impacts of the introduction of Universal Credit; and
• Plans for the introduction of a DWP-run Single Fraud Investigation Service.

The Committee issued terms of reference for this inquiry on 23 January 2014.

Details of the session are as follows:

Time/date: Monday 17 March at 4.30 pm
Location: Grimond Room, Portcullis House

Witnesses

• Local Authority Investigation Officers Group - Debbie Gibbons, National Chair, and Mick Hopkins, Midlands Regional Chair
• Local Government Association - Councillor Sharon Taylor, Deputy Chair, and Chair, Finance Panel (and Labour Leader of Stevenage Borough Council)
• National Housing Federation - Kevin Williamson, Head of Policy

Two further evidence sessions have been provisionally scheduled on the following dates (witnesses to be confirmed):

• Monday 31 March at 4.30 pm; and
• Monday 7 April at 4.30 pm

• About Parliament: Select Committees
• Visiting Parliament: Select Committees