Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Accepted
DWP acknowledges importance of addressing official error in benefit payments
Conclusion
We pressed the Department on whether it is taking official error seriously enough. It acknowledged that, while official error is a smaller component of overpayments than fraud, it needed to get its own house in order. It said that it continuously sought to address official error through training for its staff, regular audits and other lines of defence.23 23 Q 18 10 2 Measures to address fraud and error Funding to tackle fraud and error
Government Response Summary
The department reports on its plans to improve payment accuracy and address the root causes of fraud and error each year in the Annual Report and Accounts (ARA).
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 2.2 The department reports on its plans to improve payment accuracy and address the root causes of fraud and error each year in the Annual Report and Accounts (ARA). This includes official error overpayments and underpayments. 2.3 A core part of the department’s reporting on overpayments focusses on reporting continuous improvement activity to improve payment accuracy alongside its Targeted Case Review teams that target inaccuracies at the earliest opportunity. The ARA also includes a chapter on correction exercises to address underpayments.