DEPARTMENT FOR WORK
AND PENSIONS News Release (126/09) issued by COI News Distribution
Service on 30 April 2009
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