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<p /> <p /> <p>The data requested is not collated in gender format. The table below
represents the total numbers of investigations and outcomes following a benefit fraud
investigation by the Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) in the last five years where
available.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="5"><p><strong>Outcomes following
a benefit fraud investigation by DWP</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Fiscal
Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Investigations Closed</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Administrative
Penalties</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cautions</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Convictions</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2008-2009</strong></p></td><td><p>128,513</p></td><td><p>7,160</p></td><td><p>14,320</p></td><td><p>6,700</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2009-2010</strong></p></td><td><p>150,146</p></td><td><p>7,249</p></td><td><p>15,117</p></td><td><p>7,040</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2010-2011</strong></p></td><td><p>154,819</p></td><td><p>7,625</p></td><td><p>15,574</p></td><td><p>8,598</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2011-2012</strong></p></td><td><p>165,387</p></td><td><p>7,364</p></td><td><p>15,939</p></td><td><p>9,861</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2012-2013</strong></p></td><td><p>130,853</p></td><td><p>3,863</p></td><td><p>2,906</p></td><td><p>not
available</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Following a merger of DWP Prosecution
Division with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in April 2012, conviction data for
benefit fraud offences in England and Wales for 2012/13 is within ownership of CPS,
and in Scotland the Procurator Fiscal. DWP data available for this period is not comparable
to the data formatted and published by Prosecution Division in each year shown and
if published could show a distorted view.</p><p> </p><p>The decline in the lesser
penalties is due to DWP operational strategy to investigate in the most serious of
cases, uncover the whole extent of the fraud and to prosecute wherever possible. The
strategic approach to investigate in the most serious of cases and direct resources
to the sternest penalty outcome of prosecution underpins the department's fraud and
error principles to Prevent, Detect, Correct, Punish and Deter.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>
</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p>
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