Monetary Value of Fraud and Error target - Cutting fraud and error

Target:

To reduce losses to 5.2% of benefits paid.

What is the target?

The aim is to reduce losses from Fraud and Error in Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance by 50%, by March 2006.

This target is measured from a baseline in September 1998, when we were losing 10.4% of benefits paid during the year.

The causes of loss are:

• customer fraud;
• mistakes made by customers; and
• mistakes made by staff.

Our aim for 2005-06 is to achieve a reduction in losses to no more than 5.2% of benefits paid.

How does it work?

A random sample of IS and JSA claims are examined throughout the year by specialist teams. The teams record any errors made by staff and customers and any cases of fraud they find. This examination may include a home visit to establish the precise circumstances of the claim.

The results of these checks are used to estimate both the proportion and the cash value of fraud and error in the payment of IS and JSA.

Latest data