The DWP has outlined five steps in its benefit fraud crackdown after a flurry of questions in the House of Commons
The DWP has released an update outlining five ‘steps’ being taken to combat benefit fraud. New statements delivered in Parliament on Monday set out the measures being taken in a bid to bring the issue under control.
Eight separate announcements were made to MPs by the government in a single day as Andy Burnham’s administration sought to demonstrate the robustness of its approach to tackling fraud in the welfare system. The update comes as the government braces itself for the Budget on October 28. Chancellor John Healey faces mounting pressure over the state of UK finances, with debt costs climbing amid inflation partly driven by the conflict in Iran.
On Monday, the DWP set out the measures it is implementing to fight welfare fraud. Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Work and Pensions, Lilian Greenwood, said: “Since the Autumn Budget 2024 DWP has committed to delivering gross savings of £14.6bn up to the end of 2030-31 from fraud, error and debt activity.
“In 2026, the department has continued to strengthen its approach to tackling fraud and error across the welfare system through increased operational activity, the use of new powers, and targeted interventions to identify incorrect claims.”
Setting out the five steps currently being undertaken, she said that official action includes:
- investments to deploy up to 3,000 additional staff within counter fraud teams,
- delivering the extension of Targeted Case Reviews (TCR) in Universal Credit to check accuracy of claims at risk of being incorrect,
- introducing Pension Credit Claim Reviews (PCCR) to check claims at risk of being incorrect,
- the implementation of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 (PAFER) which introduces new powers to better identify, prevent and deter fraud and error
- and continuing to seek prosecutions in the courts for those who commit benefit fraud.
The government says that overall, levels of benefit fraud are the lowest since the pandemic and currently stand at 2.2%, compared to a peak of 3.0% in FYE 2022.. In response to a separate question, the DWP also issued a statement about what steps it is taking “to detect and prevent benefit claims made using fraudulent identities, fictitious households, or other forms of identity deception.”
Ms Greenwood said: “Identity fraud is a serious criminal offence and one that the Department is committed to tackling. DWP uses a range of data and analytics to identify claims at risk of fraud so that these claims can be reviewed by relevant DWP teams.
“We have specialist teams and robust processes in place to detect fraudulent documents and fraudulent claims and to offer support to anyone who thinks that they may have been a victim of identity fraud. Some information around the losses attributed to fraudulent claims made using a hijacked identity can be found at page 294 of this year’s Annual Report and Accounts ANNUAL REPORT and ACCOUNTS 2025 to 2026.
“However, it would not be in the public interest to divulge further details of the information requested as it would compromise our ability to prevent and detect fraud.”
Separately, the government also revealed that of the 40 benefit-related investigations completed by internal auditors in 2025-26, 39 concerned DWP employees and one involved an individual working for an outsourced provider.
It was also questioned over £612,715.50 in confirmed losses reported in the Department for Work and Pensions Annual Report and Accounts 2025–26. In a brief statement the department said it took “its responsibility for protecting the public purse extremely seriously and seeks to recover losses arising from internal fraud wherever possible. The department has a range of debt recovery powers available, including recovery of assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act.”
How can I report benefit fraud
You can report benefit fraud to the government. Provide as much detail as you can about the person you are reporting.
This could include their name, their address and the nature of fraud you believe they are committing. All reports are anonymous — you do not need to provide your name or contact details, officials say. The government advises that you should only report someone once.
For your own safety, it recommends that you should not attempt to gather more information or let anyone know you are making a report.
What happens if you report benefit fraud
The DWP says it will examine the information you provide. It might take some time to investigate your report.
They will not be able to inform you of the outcome of their investigation.
The gov.uk website says: “DWP will only take action if they find the person has been committing benefit fraud. Action can include removing a person’s benefits, getting them to repay money and taking them to court.”
Sometimes no action is taken. The person may have declared a change in their circumstances or their benefit may not be affected by what you report.”
To report benefit fraud, or for further information, visit the dedicated government webpage.
