FOI 6596

Benefit Fraud

Request

I would be grateful if you could provide me with the following information for each of the financial years 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 regarding benefit fraud and Brentwood Borough Council:

- How much the Council spent on counter-fraud activities
- How many full-time equivalent staff work on counter-fraud activities
- What is the estimated cost of fraud against benefits administered by the Council
- How much benefit fraud the Council recovered

Response

How much the Council spent on counter-fraud activities
This currently totals approximately £75,000 per annum

How many full-time equivalent staff work on counter-fraud activities
There have been 2 full time staff working on counter fraud activities for all the periods in question

What is the estimated cost of fraud against benefits administered by the Council
2010/11 - £123,390.73 identified as fraudulent overpayments
2011/12 - £155,330.46 identified as fraudulent overpayments
2012/13 £66,568.86 identified as fraudulent overpayments

How much benefit fraud the Council recovered
2010/11 = £47,308.61
2011/12 = 46756.79
2012/13 = £18,556.31