| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Benefit Overpayment
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the total identified number of cases of overpayment of all forms of benefits in (a) 1994-95 and (b) 1993-94; how many of these cases of overpayment are due to (i) departmental or agency errors and (ii) inaccurate information supplied by applicants; and what is his policy on repayment of benefits overpaid in respect of (i) and (ii). [12843]
Mr. Roger Evans: Such information as is available regarding the number and cause of overpayments is set out in the table.
| Year | Total number | Customer error | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-94 | 818,073 | 405,984 | 412,089 |
| 1994-95 | 996,477 | 590,218 | 406,259 |
The category "other" includes small overpayments where recovery is not pursued, and abandoned cases. Such cases may not be caused through official error. It is not possible to disaggregate the information, except at disproportionate cost. However, the majority of these will be official error overpayments.
In cases where the overpayment is caused by misrepresentation or failure to disclose a material fact, recovery is sought whenever it is appropriate to do so. Where no acceptable offer to repay is forthcoming, recovery is effected either, where the person remains in receipt of benefit, by deductions from benefit or, if benefit is no longer in payment, through voluntary repayment or civil proceedings. Where an overpayment has been caused by official error whether recovery is sought depends on how the error arose. In appropriate cases voluntary recover is sought. Recovery is pursued further only where it is cost effective to do so and there is a right in law of recovery.
Cold Weather Payments
Ms Lynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated total amount of money not paid in cold weather payments in 1994 to pensioners who do not claim income support although eligible, using the most recent take-up figures produced by the Department of Social Security's analytical services division. [13104]
Mr. Roger Evans: The information is not available.
Mr. Chris Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to change the rules under which cold weather payments are made. [13074]
Mr. Evans: There are no plans for major changes to the scheme.
After the end of March each year, we routinely review the operation of the scheme over the previous winter, taking account of advice from the Meterological Office. In particular, we look at the links between weather stations and postcode areas, and as a result minor adjustments are made if necessary.
6 Feb 1996 : Column: 178
Mr. Chris Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimates he has made of (a) the likely revenue effects and (b) the numbers participating in respect of the back-to-work bonus scheme in (i) 1996-97, (ii) 1997-98 and (iii) 1998-99. [13409]
| 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated gross cost of the back-to-work bonus | £15 million | £45 million | £65 million |
| Estimated numbers receiving a bonus | 60,000 | 130,000 | 150,000 |
(i) Estimates based on 2.1 million unemployed.
(ii) The table shows the gross cost of the back to work bonus scheme. However, once behavioural effects are taken into account we expect that the scheme will be broadly cost neutral. The behavioural effects are very difficult to assess accurately. In particular, the likely take up of the bonus in the first 18 months is very uncertain.
Poverty and Social Exclusion
Ms Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the United Kingdom projects to receive funds as part of the EU initiative to combat poverty and social exclusion. [13160]
Mr. Andrew Mitchell: The United Kingdom permanent representative to the European Union wrote to the European Commission in December seeking further information about its proposals to spend money on projects seeking to combat social exclusion. We have asked the Commission on what legal basis it is funding such projects. No response has yet been received, and Governments have not officially been notified of the Commission's intentions. The UK has already made clear to the Commission its additional scepticism about the value for public money of projects of this kind.
As an issue of principle, it is unacceptable for substantial spending projets to be undertaken without a clear legal basis. Such practices offend against budgetary discipline and undermine member states' own efforts to constrain public spending. Resources within the Community as a whole are finite. It follows that any resources used without the authority of member states will mean fewer resources are available for national Governments to support anti-exclusion projects in member states.
The Government's commitment to providing assistance for disadvantaged people is clear. In addition to spending an estimated £85 billion in this financial year on social security benefits, the Government are already funding many projects to combat social exclusion in the UK through inner city challenge, adult training, health care, housing and literacy programmes.
6 Feb 1996 : Column: 179
Mr. Denham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library copies of (a) advertisements, (b) leaflets and (c) transcripts of television and radio broadcasts used in the pensions awareness campaign in the midlands announced in his press release of 30 January. [13995]
Mr. Heald:
Such material as is available will be placed in the Library shortly.
6 Feb 1996 : Column: 180
Mr. Barry Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of people who died as a consequence of the recent cold weather; and if he will break down the figure by assigned cause of death. [13215]
Note:
The Department is, for copyright reasons, unable to provide transcripts of television or radio broadcasts other than radio commercials.