Fraud and error: DWP has wisely put more focus on prevention – now it must put its vision into practice
05 Nov 2025 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants

Fraud and error: DWP has wisely put more focus on prevention – now it must put its vision into practice

Extra funding for fraud and error activity, and lessons learned from its interventions to date, present DWP with opportunities to increase the scale and impact of its approach
by Laura Brackwell
Cross-government report shows quadrupling of detected fraud and error in two years
18 Feb Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Cross-government report shows quadrupling of detected fraud and error in two years
DWP urged to target staff mistakes in fraud-and-error crackdown
18 Feb Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
DWP urged to target staff mistakes in fraud-and-error crackdown
Culture change at DWP too slow, committee chair warns
06 Feb Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Culture change at DWP too slow, committee chair warns
NAO review of audits finds common issues across government
26 Jan Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
NAO review of audits finds common issues across government
Addressing financial management weaknesses can "help improve productivity and resilience in public service delivery”, watchdog says
HMRC reinstates 17,000 frozen child benefit cases after checks error
20 Jan Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
HMRC reinstates 17,000 frozen child benefit cases after checks error
Perm sec also tells MPs that the cost of a major PAYE phishing scam has risen to £57m
HMRC perm sec says AI adoption won’t reduce staff numbers
15 Jan Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
HMRC perm sec says AI adoption won’t reduce staff numbers
John-Paul Marks tells MPs he expects artificial intelligence to “augment” officials’ work rather than lead to redundancy
Covid corruption commissioner calls for fraud prevention reform
10 Dec 2025 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Covid corruption commissioner calls for fraud prevention reform
Hayhoe calls for creation of scrutiny panel to address the issue that lessons and recommendations are often not learnt and implemented
Budget 2025: New public sector fraud unit announced
27 Nov 2025 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Budget 2025: New public sector fraud unit announced
Funding also announced for a new cross-government taskforce and HMRC team to tackle high street crime
Budget: DWP tasked with finding more historic benefits errors
27 Nov 2025 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Budget: DWP tasked with finding more historic benefits errors
Department will extend Universal Credit Targeted Case Reviews and begin reviewing Pension Credit claims
Serious Fraud Office reignites move to Canary Wharf
19 Nov 2025 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Serious Fraud Office reignites move to Canary Wharf
SFO to move to Cabot Square next year after abandoning relocation to 10 South Colonnade
HMRC dubbed ‘cavalier’ over Child Benefit fraud crackdown
18 Nov 2025 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
HMRC dubbed ‘cavalier’ over Child Benefit fraud crackdown
Perm sec JP Marks says department has now strengthened processes after "streamlining" led to errors
Serious Fraud Office prosecutor bags national award for high-profile casework
11 Nov 2025 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Serious Fraud Office prosecutor bags national award for high-profile casework
Liz Collery was recognised at the Tackling Economic Crime Awards
Six sentenced over £20m HMRC fraud
21 Oct 2025 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Six sentenced over £20m HMRC fraud
Department's "tenacious" criminal investigators dismantled "complex and sophisticated” system that allowed businesses to cheat VAT bills
Cabinet Office lauds 'biggest ever' fraud crackdown
24 Sep 2025 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Cabinet Office lauds 'biggest ever' fraud crackdown
Minister Josh Simons describes the £480m saved in 2024-25 "the toughest ever crackdown on fraud"
Cabinet Office targets £350m savings from child benefit fraud
22 Aug 2025 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Cabinet Office targets £350m savings from child benefit fraud
Pilot inspires creation of 200-strong team in clampdown on claimants who have left the country