This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'DWP Fraud department visits at Jobcentre Plus South Wales'.

 
 
 
DWP Central Freedom of Information Team
Annex A 
 
e-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.  
gov.uk
 
Our Ref: 499
 
 

26 February 2013
Annex A 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dear J Atkinson, 
 
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request received on 10 February 2013.  You 
asked: 
 
     1- I understand there was a visit or visits to the local jobcentre 
     in Pontypool by staff from the DWP fraud department starting at 
     about the end of October 2012 and maybe more recently. Staff were 
     seen and identified themselves as being from DWP fraud department. 
     Was there a visit or visits and if so how many? 
     and how many staff visited and on what dates? 
      
     2- What was the purpose of the DWP fraud department staff visit/s 
     to Pontypool jobcentre? was there a specific purpose or tip off and 
     if so what? 
      
     3- After the visit/s at the end of October I have it on good 
     authority that some Pontypool jobcentre members of staff, including 
     the manager, where not present the following day and where not seen 
     again. 
     Is this true? 
     If so did they leave of were they sacked? 
     If sacked what were they specifically sacked for? 
     If you cannot say specifically can you confirm if any of those 
     sacked were sacked due to the fraud staff visit? 
      
     4- Was the manager at that time sacked or did they leave? 
      
     5- Were any incidents of fraud found due to the visits/s? and if so 
     what were they? 
      
     6- Is there any report or documentation on the fraud staff visit/s 
     to Pontypool, if so please provide a copy? 

      
     7- I understand that at Pontypool some of these DWP fraud staff sat 
     in on claimant appointments. Is this true? and if so what was the 
     purpose/s of this? 
      
     8- I also understand that these DWP fraud staff were sitting in on 
     claimants appointments without the prior knowledge or consent of 
     those claimants . Is this true? if consent was requested prior to 
     appointments how was this done and who did it? 
      
     9- Have there been any other visits to other local jobcentres in 
     the South Wales areas over the last year or two. If so please 
     detail and detail the main purpose for each visit to each site and 
     what was the result. 
      
     10- if there are any other reports into fraud or corruption 
     relating to or by jobcentres in the South Wales areas please detail 
     what exists and provide a copy of each. 
 
 
The Fraud Investigation Service (FIS), part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), 
is responsible for the investigation of fraud in benefit claims administered by DWP. 
 
I can confirm that DWP Fraud staff did visit Pontypool Jobcentre during the time period in 
question and that information regarding the visit does exist. However, Section 30(1)(b) permits 
DWP to withhold the information requested as it relates to investigations which may lead to 
criminal proceedings by the authority. As DWP employees, it is not unusual for Fraud 
Investigation Service (FIS) staff to visit and/or maintain a regular presence in Jobcentre 
premises throughout Great Britain.  
 
As DWP employees, FIS staff are permitted to sit in on interviews should there be a clear 
business need to do so. As indicated above, the information related to this requirement is 
covered by the Section 30 exemption. FIS staff are also permitted to view the records of clients 
should the requirements of their job dictate it is necessary. 
 
It might be useful for you to note that the purpose of the DWP Fraud Investigation Service is to 
identify/investigate benefit fraud by customers.  It is not their role to investigate cases of 
alleged fraud internal to DWP. 
 
Staff within South East Wales District may also change their roles and / or office of 
employment for a number of reasons this can include developmental or promotional 
opportunities or the needs of the business.  
 
Any staff moves following the visits of the Fraud Investigation Service were not as a result of 
those visits. 
 
If you have any queries about this response please contact me quoting the reference 
number above.   
 

 
 
 
DWP Central FoI Team 
 
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 
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