Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Accepted
DWP identifies potential in cross-government data to combat benefit fraud and error.
Conclusion
The Department told us that there were data sources from across government and beyond that its systems could potentially use to help drive down fraud and error, and that it was very keen to exploit such opportunities.31 We note that there is information that the Department for Education and councils have that could help the Department to verify household composition as part of its checks for Universal Credit.32
Government Response Summary
The department works closely with other departments on data sharing and assessing the value of different datasets.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 4.2 The department works closely with other departments on data sharing and assessing the value of different datasets. This is longstanding activity embedded in business‑as‑usual delivery, as demonstrated by the HMRC PAYE real time information feed, which has virtually eliminated fraud and error for employed earnings. Data sharing therefore remains a high departmental priority. 4.3 Underpinning this, the department has well‑established cross‑government mechanisms that support data sharing including regular engagement through our cross‑government partnerships team. The team acts as a gateway between the department and partner organisations, supporting effective collaboration and data sharing for counter fraud activity. 4.4 The department also participates in cross-government initiatives on common data standards and the National Data Library Kick-starter initiative on household income, alongside close collaboration with departments such as HMRC and the Home Office to identify data sharing opportunities. 4.5 This work is ongoing and continues to evolve as the department transforms the benefits system. Whilst transparency is important, the department must ensure that information is not shared in ways that could assist fraudsters or that are inconsistent with our legal obligations under Data Protection law. 4.6 The department remains committed to strengthening its data capabilities and exploring new opportunities for cross government collaboration. Following engagement with industry data experts, the department is enhancing the use of both internal and external data earlier in the claimant journey to support upfront eligibility verification. This includes assessing the potential value of data sets from the Department of Education alongside other cross government data sources to support fraud identification, prevention and detection.