The UK government is installing lie detector technology in a pilot scheme designed to catch benefit cheats. 

Initial tests will be carried out in Harrow, north London before being rolled out in Job Centres across the country.

The Voice Risk Analysis software has already been successfully used to tackle false insurance claims, allegedly saving the industry hundreds of millions of pounds in the process.

Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton said that the software would help speed up the benefits service by validating more of a claimant's information from the very start.

"This technology-based process aims to tackle fraudsters while speeding up claims and improving customer service for the honest majority," he said.

"Our investigators are successfully using sophisticated 21st century techniques to stop criminals. The introduction of this cutting-edge technology will be another weapon in the battle against benefit fraud."

The technology works by looking for changes in a caller's voice over the course of a phone conversation, allowing operators to flag up potential false claims as they are lodged.

Claimants who are assessed as being possible fraud cases are then asked to provide further information to back up their claim.