Clause 29 - Incorrect statements etc.
Tax Credits Bill
6:30 pm
Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere, Conservative)
We want to treat any case of fraud as a serious matter. I take issue with the Minister about whether public sector benefit fraud is treated as seriously as private sector fraud, when someone who obtains funds by similar deception—making a false statement—from a building society, bank or other financial institution faces a penalty of criminal prosecution. The statistics seem to show that prosecutions for false statements in the benefits system are few and far between. That is a debate for another day. We will come to it when we deal with later clauses.
I will consider carefully what the Minister said. I am far from satisfied with his response as I believe that there should be a more serious penalty for those who commit fraud. Given that I may wish to return to the issue later, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause 29 ordered to stand part of the Bill.