Cost of Checking Direct Payments - Find a freedom of information request

For years 2016, 2017 and 2018:

1. The number of people employed in auditing direct payments and the financial cost of this (including staff pay, and resources used).
2. Could you also provide for the same years, the amount of money recovered from fraudulent or misuse of direct payments.

1.

• 2016/2017 - Seven staff Total cost £193,000.00
• 2017/2018 - Seven staff until October when a further three staff were employed Total cost £216,644.71
• 2018/2019 - 10 staff until January 2019 when a further three staff were employed Total cost £274,114.97

2. Unable to provide this information, No records are kept which identify the reason for reclaim of funds as fraudulent or misuse.