A website aimed at tackling benefit fraud has cost millions in taxpayers money while leading to just a handful of prosecutions, according to figures obtained by the Conservatives.

The Targeting Fraud website has been used by the public to report 12,000 cases of suspected fraud but fewer than 700 have been investigated - resulting in 180 people having their benefits adjusted.

They have got a strike rate far worse than the English cricket team

David Willetts

But a spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions insisted that the website was just one element in a wider battle against benefit fraud.

"The website is only one part of our campaign against benefit fraud and has been very successful in raising awareness - anyone who wants to tip us off about suspected benefit fraud can also call our National Benefit Fraud Hotline," he said.

"We are taking tough action to prevent, detect and punish fraud."

He added that the department was "well on the way" to reaching a target of reducing fraud and error in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance by 50% by March 2006.

Fraud slashed?

"We have cut fraud and error in these benefits by 18% over the last three years.

Mr Willetts question the success of the website

"This is a saving to the taxpayer of £180 million - money which can spent on people who really need it or paying for new doctors, nurses and teachers."

But figures obtained by Conservative work and pensions spokesman David Willetts suggest that 75% of suspected fraud cases reported to the Targeting Fraud website were not considered to be worth further investigation.

Of the 2,734 that were "accepted for action", 673 investigations had been completed.

Mr Willetts said: "They ought to be doing better - they have got a strike rate far worse than the English cricket team."