Jim Knight: Unemployment 'bigger benefits issue'

Credit ratings firms are set for a bigger role in tackling the £5.2bn annual cost of benefit cheats and overpayments, David Cameron is to say.

One firm, Experian, said it was in talks with ministers over a deal which could see it paid according to the number of cheats it uncovers.

Credit rating firms monitor people's spending patterns on household bills and credit card spending.

The PM will also outline plans for tougher penalties and more convictions.

Shadow minister for welfare reform Jim Knight said the "bigger issue in taxpayers' money being lost in benefits is unemployment".