Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Accepted
We have repeatedly recommended that the Department should set targets for fraud and error reduction...
Conclusion
We have repeatedly recommended that the Department should set targets for fraud and error reduction across the benefits it administers, most recently as part of our examination of the Department’s 2021–22 Annual Report and Accounts.12 In its response the Department reconfirmed its intention to set an overall target for fraud and error reduction by Spring 2022, once it was clear on its funding in the Spending Review.13 However, in May 2022 the Department wrote to us explaining that it was not in a position to set a robust, meaningful target because of uncertainty about the baseline level of fraud for post-COVID benefit claims. It added that it believed the savings generated by its £613 million investment in counter-fraud measures would provide a framework against which its future fraud and error performance can be judged.14
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation, previously given, to set a target and work with the National Audit Office (NAO) to develop commentary, with a target implementation date of Summer 2023, and will keep the Committee up to date on the progress of this via the existing TM25 recommendation.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
1.3 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2023 1.4 The department agrees with the Committee’s recommendation, which has been given previously, to set a target and work with the National Audit Office (NAO) to develop commentary. The department has committed to the target implementation date and will keep the Committee up to date on the progress of this via the existing TM25 recommendation.