Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2019 to Question 246453, on Children: Maintenance, how many times each of the powers listed in the Answer have been used.

We do not keep information on the number of times Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) request information from financial institutions to check the accuracy of information.

Regarding the number of times Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) will seek to prosecute or forward to HMRC for fraud action. I can confirm there has been one prosecution in 2019 with 3 other cases are being investigated by Crown Prosecution Service. The arrangements with HMRC to provide them with information regarding Child Maintenance Group investigations has been finalised and the first transfer of data will occur in mid May.