PERTH AND Kinross Council is to be probed by benefit fraud inspectors, the Government announced yesterday.

The authority is one of seven across Britain being looked into by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate because it takes longer than the national average to process claims.

Three other Scottish councils—South Ayrshire, Inverclyde and East Dunbartonshire—are also on the hit-list for what are being described as “shorter focused inspections.”

The latest BFI programme of work was announced by anti-fraud minister Chris Pond.

Local authorities which take much longer than the target of 36 days to process new claims, are weak at countering fraud or have a poor record of administering overpayments are to be inspected.

Mr Pond said yesterday, “Paying the right amount of housing benefits to the right person at the right time is hugely important. Minimising fraud and error is essential given the £15 billion paid out each year.

“The prompt payment of housing benefits is crucial to the well-being of over 4 million vulnerable people and delays in processing claims for benefits can deter people from moving into work.

“The next programme of BFI inspections will concentrate on councils which have weaknesses in specific areas of benefits administration.

“Many councils are improving in paying benefits accurately and on time to the people that need them and that is very encouraging but there are still too many that urgently need to improve their performance.”

The BFI was launched in November 1997 as part of the Government’s initiatives to reduce high levels of fraud in the social security system.