THE crackdown on Social Security fraud is set to move from catching spongers to deterring them.
Social Security Secretary Peter Lilley told Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans that the aim was to frighten potential fraudsters away from abusing the benefit system.
He spoke out after Mr Evans called for the crackdown on Social Security fraud to be stepped up.
Mr Evans told Mr Lilley in the Commons: "Stealing and fiddling benefits are appalling acts which cost the country hundreds of millions of pounds.
"The country will welcome your initiative."
Mr Lilley replied: "I certainly pay tribute to the work successfully carried out to detect and prevent fraud.
"Last year the amount of fraud prevented by the benefits agency as a result was a record of more than £700 million."
He spoke of moving from detection to prevention over a period of five years.
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