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25/05/2006
Government bid to stamp out benefit fraud
A new report by the Criminal Justice Inspection Agency, today revealed that Social Security chiefs in Northern Ireland are squandering their powers to crack down on benefit fraud.
It is understood that benefit cheats are costing the taxpayer around £30 million each year, and only one in ten responsible are being formally prosecuted, cautioned or fined.
The investigation focused on the findings of the Agency's Benefit Investigation Service (BIS), which discovered evidence of managerial disjunction, leading to a degree of isolation for BIS staff.
Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice, Kit Chivers said: "The inspection team found that while staff within the Social Security Agency were aware of the benefit fraud investigation unit, it was often viewed as a separate arm of the organisation.
"Providing BIS with valuable information to help identify suspected fraudulent activity tended to be given a lower priority than other work."
It has been reported that 17 recommendations were made, all of which have been accepted.
The Social Security Agency has agreed to assist the Criminal Justice Inspection Agency, in a bid reduce levels of benefit fraud.
Its investigation unit is a major part of the counter-fraud processes, with around 175 staff gathering intelligence and prosecuting.
However, the BIS operational management has claimed that the Agency did not provide the necessary direction to focus their work.
The report said that there was limited interest in developing the branch,
focusing only on the delivery of targets.
It also stated that staff did not feel that it was necessary to do any more to prevent fraud.
Kit Chivers said that improvements must be made in how the BIS operates but praised its use of new powers provided under the Social Security Fraud Act (Northern Ireland) and Proceeds of Crime Act.
He said: "While new legislation has enabled BIS to build strong working relationships with banks, building societies and other financial organisations, inspectors found close links also existed between BIS and colleagues working in the Housing Executive, Public Prosecution Service and the Assets Recovery Agency."
Mr Chivers concluded by saying that excellent partnerships also existed between BIS and staff working for the Republic of Ireland's Department of Social and Family Affairs and that such co-operation is extremely beneficial when addressing benefit fraud.
(EF/SP)
It is understood that benefit cheats are costing the taxpayer around £30 million each year, and only one in ten responsible are being formally prosecuted, cautioned or fined.
The investigation focused on the findings of the Agency's Benefit Investigation Service (BIS), which discovered evidence of managerial disjunction, leading to a degree of isolation for BIS staff.
Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice, Kit Chivers said: "The inspection team found that while staff within the Social Security Agency were aware of the benefit fraud investigation unit, it was often viewed as a separate arm of the organisation.
"Providing BIS with valuable information to help identify suspected fraudulent activity tended to be given a lower priority than other work."
It has been reported that 17 recommendations were made, all of which have been accepted.
The Social Security Agency has agreed to assist the Criminal Justice Inspection Agency, in a bid reduce levels of benefit fraud.
Its investigation unit is a major part of the counter-fraud processes, with around 175 staff gathering intelligence and prosecuting.
However, the BIS operational management has claimed that the Agency did not provide the necessary direction to focus their work.
The report said that there was limited interest in developing the branch,
focusing only on the delivery of targets.
It also stated that staff did not feel that it was necessary to do any more to prevent fraud.
Kit Chivers said that improvements must be made in how the BIS operates but praised its use of new powers provided under the Social Security Fraud Act (Northern Ireland) and Proceeds of Crime Act.
He said: "While new legislation has enabled BIS to build strong working relationships with banks, building societies and other financial organisations, inspectors found close links also existed between BIS and colleagues working in the Housing Executive, Public Prosecution Service and the Assets Recovery Agency."
Mr Chivers concluded by saying that excellent partnerships also existed between BIS and staff working for the Republic of Ireland's Department of Social and Family Affairs and that such co-operation is extremely beneficial when addressing benefit fraud.
(EF/SP)
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27 October 2006
Woman gets conditional discharge for benefit fraud
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Woman gets conditional discharge for benefit fraud
A woman has been convicted at Belfast Magistrate’s Court today for living with her partner while claiming benefit as a single person. Elizabeth McClean, 36, of Connsbrook Drive, Belfast, was given a two-year conditional discharge for claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit to the value of £3,790.
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