International Benchmark of Fraud and Error in Social Security Systems

📖 The Scoop

The report, based on research carried out by RAND Europe and commissioned by the National Audit Office, presents the results of a benchmarking exercise investigating the issue of fraud and error in the social security systems of eight European and non-European countries (covering Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the United States). The study describes the different systems studied, assesses the scale and prominence of the problem in a national context, outlines approaches taken to measure and to reduce fraud and error, and draws out the principal themes emerging from the comparisons of relevance for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Findings include that the availability of data and methodologies for measuring fraud and error at national level vary considerably, but the DWP is at the forefront in developing estimates of losses arising from fraud and error in social security expenditure. The high levels of estimated fraud and error in expenditure on benefits, £2.6 billion in 2004-05, have led to the NAO qualifying the DWP's accounts and those of the former Department of Social Security for 16 years in a row. The rates of fraud at the DWP appear comparable to those of other countries, such as USA, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand, and it compares favourably in terms of awareness of the problem and activities to combat the problem.

Genre: Law / General (fancy, right?)