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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Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act
If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing freedom-of-information-
xxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, Caxton House, Tothill Street, London, SW1H
9NA. Any review request should be submitted within two months of the date of this letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the Information
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exhausted our own complaints procedure. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF www.ico.gov.uk