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
'UK and global first': Zoe Gascoyne becomes head of Fraud Investigation Service
11 May Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
'UK and global first': Zoe Gascoyne becomes head of Fraud Investigation Service
DWP rejects call for ‘more ambitious’ fraud and error reduction target
07 Apr Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
DWP rejects call for ‘more ambitious’ fraud and error reduction target
Departments’ use of banking-style anti-fraud checks set for review
13 Mar Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Departments’ use of banking-style anti-fraud checks set for review
Whistleblowing: Civil service 'needs culture change' to create a 'speak-up environment'
28 May 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Whistleblowing: Civil service 'needs culture change' to create a 'speak-up environment'
MPs bemoan continued "lack of cross-government leadership" and the varying approaches of departments
Could green fraud become the next big fraud scandal?
22 May 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Could green fraud become the next big fraud scandal?
Joshua Reddaway from the NAO's Fraud & Propriety team explores the challenge of fraud, error and abuse in net-zero and environmental initiatives
DBT setting up 'emergency response function', perm sec says
15 May 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
DBT setting up 'emergency response function', perm sec says
Gareth Davies tells MPs work is part of broader learning from Covid support schemes
DWP beats counter-fraud target by £50m
14 May 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
DWP beats counter-fraud target by £50m
Update confirms plan to use temporary staff to fill 2,500 roles reviewing Universal Credit claims
Cabinet Office signs up Deloitte to help departments tackle fraud
16 Apr 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Cabinet Office signs up Deloitte to help departments tackle fraud
Consultancy firm will support new pilot Public Sector Fraud Authority Enforcement Unit
DWP hails convictions in £54m Universal Credit fraud case
12 Apr 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
DWP hails convictions in £54m Universal Credit fraud case
Five plead guilty over London 'benefit factories' that generated thousands of false claims
MPs press DWP to reveal impact of AI on benefit claims
10 Apr 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
MPs press DWP to reveal impact of AI on benefit claims
PAC disputes department's suggestion that publishing data on the impact of algorithms would pose a fraud risk
Failure to regulate 'number spoofing' a national scandal, TV expert says
26 Mar 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Failure to regulate 'number spoofing' a national scandal, TV expert says
Scam Interceptors co-presenter says government needs to make more use of diplomatic channels to shut down overseas-based operations
FCDO 'not proactive enough' at tackling overseas aid fraud
26 Mar 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
FCDO 'not proactive enough' at tackling overseas aid fraud
Watchdog blames departmental merger, Covid and new IT system for fuelling increased risks
Delving under the surface – how government can save billions by tackling fraud and error
21 Mar 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Delving under the surface – how government can save billions by tackling fraud and error
The National Audit Office is increasingly focusing on how government is tackling fraud and error and, as the NAO's director of fraud and propriety Joshua Reddaway argues, billions could be saved by getting this right
Perm secs get flak over action to combat fraud and corruption
12 Mar 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Perm secs get flak over action to combat fraud and corruption
Public Accounts Committee chair questions commitments to transparency and flags "vagueness" on investment for recovery work
Corrupt MoD official convicted of misconduct in public office
07 Mar 2024 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Corrupt MoD official convicted of misconduct in public office
Jeffrey Cook pocketed kickbacks worth at least £70,000 in exchange for defence contracts whilst he was an MoD civil servant