Debate contribution: Social Security Benefits: Fraud and Error Savings

Debate contribution by Mr Brian Kingston on 16 June 2025.

MLA: Mr Brian Kingston
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 16 June 2025
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Social Security Benefits: Fraud and Error Savings
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5010597

Text

I thank the Minister for his answer. In a recent Committee for Communities briefing, we were informed that the estimated loss due to customer fraud across all benefits in 2023 was £163·2 million, which is a substantial amount. The Minister referred to an opportunity — the Committee was told about this — for us to retain an element of savings from fraud of up to 50% by agreement with the Treasury. I urge the Minister to continue those discussions. Is he hopeful that we will be able to achieve a result in the matter?

94 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 2158/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

This is the same MLA’s follow-up within the exchange on their own question. It is analysed together with that question and is not counted separately, so one question is never counted twice.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification