16 January 2006 - Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) inspection report on South Northamptonshire Council
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton, has today published an inspection report by the BFI on South Northamptonshire Council’s processing of claims for housing benefits.
In 2004/05 South Northamptonshire Council administered some 8.7 million pounds in housing benefits, about 20 per cent of its gross revenue expenditure. The inspection focused on the council’s arrangements for processing claims, as it was taking an average of 104 days to process new claims for Housing Benefit in 2003/04.
BFI found that the council’s performance in processing new claims had significantly improved. The average time taken had reduced from 104 days in 2003/04 to 81.5 days in 2004/05, and 43.5 days in the first quarter of 2005/06. While this remained longer than the Department’s standard of 36 days, there had clearly been a considerable improvement in the council’s performance.
The inspection revealed a similar situation in the time taken to process changes of circumstances, which had improved from an average of 44 days in 2003/04, to 19.7 days in 2004/05, and 18.7 days in the first quarter of 2005/06. Again, this performance was below the Department’s standard of nine days, but represented a significant improvement.
The council’s lack of workload prioritisation and forward planning was
causing unnecessary delays. In particular, it had not set any internal targets
for benefits staff. This was compounded by a lack of procedural guidance throughout
the benefits service, leading to inconsistent working practices. Inspectors
found that this was one of a number of internal audit recommendations that
the council had failed to act upon.
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, Minister for Housing Benefit and Anti-Fraud, 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.
- All BFI inspection reports can be found on the BFI website – www.bfi.gov.uk.
BFI Press enquiries: 01423 83 2982
Department for Work and Pensions Press enquiries: 020 7238 0866
Out of Hours: 07659 108883
Public enquiries: 020 7712 2171
Website: www.bfi.gov.uk