Audit Commission

The government's inspection and assessment of housing and council tax benefits has transferred from the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) to the Audit Commission as a result of proposals in the Local Government White Paper of 2006.

The Commission is now developing a comprehensive framework to deal with benefit fraud that recognises the vital contribution benefit services make to the social and economic wellbeing of local areas, as well as how this fits in with local authority strategies to address poverty, deprivation, homelessness and unemployment.

The inspection framework will apply more challenging assessment criteria than was the case under the BFI and assess performance from the users' perspective, with less emphasis on process.

The Audit Commission Chief Executive Steve Bundred said: 'It is vital that housing and council tax benefit services are delivered to a high standard and that the public has confidence that money is being spent efficiently. The detection and prevention of fraud must remain high on council agendas to save tax payers' money in a climate where savings have to be found.'

The Commission's approach to inspecting benefits services has been piloted with nine councils and the key lines of enquiry have been refined in consultation with local and central government. The Commission will inspect on a risk basis, in line with the principles behind the new Comprehensive Area Assessment framework for local services.

Notes to editors

1. The Audit Commission is an independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is spent economically, efficiently and effectively, to achieve high quality local services for the public. Our remit covers around 11,000 bodies in England, which between them spend more than £180 billion of public money each year. Our work covers local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services.
2. As an independent watchdog, we provide important information on the quality of public services. As a driving force for improvement in those services, we provide practical recommendations and spread best practice. As an independent auditor, we ensure that public services are good value for money and that public money is properly spent.
3. Further details about the role of the Audit Commission can be obtained from www.audit-commission.gov.uk