Department for Work and Pensions
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Countries comes together to fight benefit fraud
Today, the Department for Work and Pensions will sign a historic arrangement with five other countries to enhance cooperation on tackling benefit fraud. This costs the UK taxpayer £800 million a year.
Recognising the benefits of mutual co-operation, the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand have come together to sign the 'Windsor Arrangement' which aims to achieve stronger prevention, earlier detection and effective deterrence of benefit fraud.
DWP Permanent Secretary Leigh Lewis said today:
"The six countries that have signed this agreement today are all committed to fighting benefit fraud. This arrangement will ensure each country works together more systematically and, in turn, increase our individual and collective protection against those who seek to defraud our benefit systems. This historic agreement is just another sign of the cooperation enjoyed between our countries."
The six signatories have agreed to work together to share intelligence and risk profiling, to share strategies and best practice for combating fraud, to determine scope for carrying out investigations and enforcement for each other and to enhance understanding of the nature and extent of identity fraud.
Note to editors
1. The Windsor Arrangement for Mutual Co-operation on Benefit Fraud Between Heads of Department of the Six Countries has been signed by: The Department of Human Services of Australia, the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development of Canada, The Department of Social and Family Affairs of Ireland, The Ministry of Social Development of New Zealand, The Department for Work and Pensions of the United Kingdom and The Social Security Administration of the United States of America.
2. The arrangement will be signed at the Combined Six Countries and Belmont Conference, Windsor UK on 30 April 2009, in the English and French languages.
Media Enquiries: 0203 267
Website: http://www.dwp.gov.uk
