Select committee: Public Accounts Committee
Conclusion 19
75th Report - Government use of data analytics on error and fraud
Published 27 Mar 2026
Addressed to HM Treasury
Public Accounts Committee Government use of data analytics on error and fraud All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
The NAO noted that DWP provided an example of good practice in transparency by setting out in its annual report and accounts how it ensures that its use of data analytics does not result in adverse impacts 49 Q 37 50 Q 25 51 Q 74 52 Qq 69-70 53 Government Digital Service, Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard Hub, accessed 3 February 2026 54 Qq 71-72 55 Q 71 16 to customers.56 When we considered DWP’s 2023–24 accounts, we were concerned that the department’s use of data analytics and machine learning might have a detrimental impact on customers. DWP assured us that it had conducted a fairness impact assessment, but that it could not publish the results as they could assist fraudsters.57 Legislative challenges
From: Public Accounts Committee, 75th Report - Government use of data analytics on error and fraud (HC 891), 27 March 2026
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 1 June 2026 (deadline 27 May 2026).