Ministers “consider” lie detector tests to catch benefit cheats
The Government is considering whether to use lie detectors in order to identify fraudulent benefit and compensation claims, says The Independent.
The newspaper says it has obtained official documents which show that both the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are considering whether to adopt the controversial technique, currently used by some insurance companies to weed out false claims.
DTI civil servants have reportedly drawn up the plans, which would involve officials monitoring telephone calls from the public to detect the signs of stress that the insurance industry currently associates with claims.
The officials responsible for the proposals are reportedly overseeing the current investigation of claims relating to the awarding of compensation to miners suffering from vibration white finger. It is reported that the DTI has commissioned an insurance company to investigate around 600 such cases amid suspicion that fraudulent claims have been submitted.
A leaked memo from DTI officials to trade and industry minister Nigel Griffiths acknowledges that the use of lie detectors to identify fraudulent claims would be “presentationally very sensitive,” but stresses that the idea would be “worth looking into.”
The Independent reports that the memo urges ministers to pilot the proposals in secrecy.
Opposition MPs said that the use of lie detector technology should have no place in determining the honesty of benefits claimants.
“These things are black boxes,” said Steve Webb, the Liberal Democrats’ work and pensions spokesman.
“How can you appeal against the decision of a black box? People’s cases should be determined on the individual facts.”
The Independent claims that DTI minister Nigel Griffiths is resisting the proposal, while a DWP spokesman stressed that the department had “no plans” to use lie detectors.
