Hi Derek, I'm trying to step away from this thread, DWP get awfully twitchy about social media posts. But generally, most (nearly all) claimants get their rent payed to themselves, they then pay the Landlord direct, DWP's thinking is if you were working, your employer would not pay your rent direct to your Landlord, so why should DWP?
Clearly there are several issues around vulnerability etc so there are occasions where DWP pay the L/L direct but the default is pay the claimant.
As to your first question, I believe DWP's figures are audited independently every year (by the audit commission), how independent they are is up to you!.