The Social Security Fraud Bill received Royal Assent today bringing in new powers to investigate benefit cheats and withdraw benefits from persistent fraudsters. 

The main measures in the Act are:

 -  Powers to require information from private and public sector organisations about individuals
    suspected of benefit fraud;

 -  Powers to withdraw or reduce benefit for people convicted twice of a benefit offence within the
    space of three years;

 -  Powers to enable the exchange of information with social security administrations in other
    countries in order to combat international benefit fraud;

 -  The option of a swift civil penalty as an alternative to court, to target employers who collude in
    benefit fraud;

 -  Tighter powers to prosecute people who deliberately conceal changes which affect benefit
    entitlement;

 -  Improved co-operation between the DSS and Local Authorities in penalising fraud and in the
    speed and efficiency of information flows.

 Notes to editors

 Copies of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 are available from the Stationary Office.