31 October 2005 - Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) Inspection Report on Perth and Kinross Council
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, David Blunkett, has today published an inspection report by the BFI on Perth and Kinross Council’s processing of claims for housing benefits.
In 2004/05, Perth and Kinross Council administered some £24 million in housing benefits, about 10.6 per cent of its gross revenue expenditure. The council had made significant improvements in the time taken to process new claims, down from 71 days in the second quarter of 2004/05 to 48 days by the end of 2004/05. However, this was still in the bottom quartile of performance for all councils.
Delays were occurring at all stages of the claims process. These were most
significant in registering claims, identifying the need for further information
and referring appropriate cases to the Rent Officer within statutory time limits.
Inaccurate performance was being reported against the Statutory Performance
Indicator for the speed of processing changes of circumstances. The council
was reporting an average of eight days to process a change yet the findings
from a sample of cases showed that it was taking an average of 26.5 days.
Quality issues were identified in 30 per cent of the cases sampled. Benefit had been paid on incomplete claim forms, incorrect dates had been used resulting in underpayment of benefit, and requests for backdating had been overlooked.
Inadequate control and poor monitoring of performance meant that members and senior officers had insufficient assurance about true levels of performance. This was compounded by a failure to implement audit recommendations.
Further assurance and internal security issues were found in the quality of verification, post opening arrangements, recruitment and vetting of benefits staff, procedural guidance and management checking.
BFI is an independent unit within the Department for Work and Pensions that reports directly to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the standard of benefit administration and counter-fraud activity.
James Plaskitt, Benefits Minister, announced the publication of the report in a written ministerial statement.
Notes to Editors
- Each BFI inspection report is considered by the Secretary of State who decides whether any further action is appropriate. The Secretary of State has powers to issue directions to a local authority to secure acceptable or minimum standards in performance.
- Media copies of the BFI inspection report can be obtained from the Department for Work and Pensions Press Office on 020 7238 0766.
- All BFI inspection reports can be found on the BFI website – www.bfi.gov.uk.
Department for Work and Pensions Press enquiries: 020 7238 0766
BFI Press enquiries: 01423 83 2982
Out of Hours: 07659 108 883
Public enquiries: 020 7712 2171
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk