To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

(1) what estimate his Department has made of the effect on child poverty if fraud and error were eradicated from (a) council tax benefit, (b) the savings element of pension credits, (c) housing benefit/local housing allowance and (d) all benefit payments; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what estimate his Department has made of the effect on levels of child poverty of the eradication of fraud and error from (a) income support and (b) jobseekers allowance systems; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested is not available.

Benefits, including income-related benefits, play a key role in making work pay, supporting those who cannot work, reducing poverty, and have helped to lift 600,000 children out of relative poverty since 1998-99.

The estimates of fraud and error across all benefits has reduced by a third since 2000-01 and for fraud are down by two thirds during the same period. We are keen to ensure that support goes to the right customers at the right time and are committed to reducing error and fraud across all benefits.