Complex benefit system even baffles those working in it - Willott

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 13th Aug 2008

The Department of Work and Pensions has had its accounts qualified by the National Audit Office for the 19th consecutive year with figures showing official error outweighing customer error and fraud.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Jenny Willott, said:

"These figures are extremely worrying.

"The Liberal Democrats have been telling the Government for some time now that the system is too complicated.

"The fact that for the first time official error has cost more than customer error and fraud shows that the system is now so complex that even those working in it are baffled by it.

"The Government must simplify the system now."