Fraud and error: DWP has wisely put more focus on prevention – now it must put its vision into practice
05 Nov 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
Budget 2025: New public sector fraud unit announced
27 Nov Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Budget 2025: New public sector fraud unit announced
Budget: DWP tasked with finding more historic benefits errors
27 Nov Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Budget: DWP tasked with finding more historic benefits errors
Serious Fraud Office reignites move to Canary Wharf
19 Nov Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Serious Fraud Office reignites move to Canary Wharf
Anti-fraud checks on Covid loans 'inadequate', watchdog finds
03 Dec 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Anti-fraud checks on Covid loans 'inadequate', watchdog finds
Most measures were introduced "too late" to stop fraud, with focus on prevention
HMRC struggles to recover billions in overpaid Covid-19 support and tax debts
22 Nov 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
HMRC struggles to recover billions in overpaid Covid-19 support and tax debts
Taskforce likely to recover minority of support paid in error and fraud as NAO says department needs to increase its debt recovery capacity
Pandemic-driven flexible working progress saves hundreds of HMRC jobs
05 Nov 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Pandemic-driven flexible working progress saves hundreds of HMRC jobs
But department’s annual report estimates fraud in Covid support schemes topped £6bn in 2020-21
'Unfair' to criticise sky-high spending on Covid schemes, Sunak says
02 Nov 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
'Unfair' to criticise sky-high spending on Covid schemes, Sunak says
Chancellor defends £37bn spent on test and trace scheme and cost of furlough fraud
‘The vast majority have been thwarted’: minister praises DWP's fraud response
25 Aug 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
‘The vast majority have been thwarted’: minister praises DWP's fraud response
Will Quince claims Universal Credit system has ‘coped remarkably well: with challenges
NAO sounds alarm over DWP’s ‘record high’ fraud and error rates
20 Jul 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
NAO sounds alarm over DWP’s ‘record high’ fraud and error rates
Watchdog says department accepts pandemic response means overpayments will “remain significantly higher than normal for some time”
DWP 'stopped large attack' from organised crime during Universal Credit surge
14 Jul 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
DWP 'stopped large attack' from organised crime during Universal Credit surge
As the department processed 4.3 million new claims, fraudsters attempted to cash in
Fraud and error in Covid support schemes 'will cost taxpayer tens of billions'
30 Jun 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Fraud and error in Covid support schemes 'will cost taxpayer tens of billions'
Departments' efforts to detect fraud 'hindered by a lack of real-time data sharing and weak transparency arrangements', MPs say
Acoba chief Pickles sets out proposals for beefed-up scrutiny of post-government jobs
26 Feb 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Acoba chief Pickles sets out proposals for beefed-up scrutiny of post-government jobs
Boosted transparency and spectre of honours impact form part of anti-corruption watchdog’s drive
HMRC offers £100k for new Fraud Investigation Service post
10 Feb 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
HMRC offers £100k for new Fraud Investigation Service post
Head of operations will oversee modernisation of capabilities to tackle serious fraud
Northern Ireland crackdown on special advisers set to become law
03 Feb 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Northern Ireland crackdown on special advisers set to become law
Executive Office spad numbers will be cut to six, salaries capped at £90k and advisers subject to the same disciplinary rules as civil servants
HMRC 'could have done more' to prevent furlough fraud, NAO says
26 Oct 2020 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
HMRC 'could have done more' to prevent furlough fraud, NAO says
Watchdog also urges tax agency to ensure fewer people miss out on support under future schemes