Contributions
617 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fifth sitting)I am not talking about the amount for those who have committed fraud but for the second group that the shadow Minister mentioned, where there perhaps has been a mistake.04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fifth sitting)Is the shadow Minister suggesting a level of deductions that is acceptable? The amount that the Department for Work and Pensions can claim back has fluctuated in recent years. Are…04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fifth sitting)Is the shadow Minister’s other concern, with those who have committed fraud, that he thinks the payment should be faster? The Bill allows for 100% of this falsely claimed sum to…04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Sixth sitting)I share some concern about the £300 being on the face of the Bill. It is unusual to have the figure stipulated there. Would the Opposition prefer the figure to be stipulated in…04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Third sitting)Feel free to skip ahead to the conclusion.27 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q Can I come back in on the point about fraud and error, and the differentiation between organised fraud and fraud by individuals? Are you saying that needs to be more clearly…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)I am a trustee/director of Southwark Charities, which provides accommodation for some older people who may be affected by the provisions of the Bill—a cursory reference, really.…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q To be clear, for example, if someone who has received child benefit fails to notify a change of circumstances when their child reaches 18, there is no suggestion that that would…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)So does that distinction need to be in there—that there needs to be the flexibility to treat this on an individual basis? Professor Button: I was just going to say that my son…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q But sticking with that example, it is also an error on the Department’s part to continue making a payment when someone has reached an age where they are not entitled to receive…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q I think they know the date of birth of their child, but so does the Department for Work and Pensions. The distinction is whether that is an error relating to updating their…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q Joshua, you spoke about the Bill’s dual powers, both prevention and recovery. I just wonder, is it possible to quantify or estimate a percentage or lump sum figure of how much…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q The deterrent effect, yes. Joshua Reddaway: I have not done anything that adds to the information that is already in the impact assessment. I have not audited it, so I would…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q On how much this legislation will prevent people from trying to fiddle the system. There will be people who are aware of the new powers who then do not do it; that is the point…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Yes. Joshua Reddaway: I have spoken to DWP and the OBR about that. My understanding is that frankly it is an area of uncertainty, and that they wanted to make an adjustment…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q Good luck to Mark’s son at university. I have one more question regarding Professor Levi’s point about previous experience and organisations being closed down because of appeals…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q The first question is about legacy. The last Government were truly record-breaking. We now have a social security system with the highest ever fraud rates and with little action…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q Can I ask you a procedural question, Chair? Is it possible to furnish Committee members, through the Clerks, with instances in the last Parliament where codes of practice were…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q We also heard, from the previous panel in particular, that disabled people lack confidence or trust in the Department for Work and Pensions—and I think that goes across…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Of course. Joshua Reddaway: Secondly, I would suggest to them that they can establish a baseline, because this is pretty transparent within their published statistics. You have…25 Feb 2025