Select committee: Public Accounts Committee
Conclusion 26
66th Report - Tackling fraud and error in benefit expenditure 2024-25
Published 11 Feb 2026
Addressed to HM Treasury
Public Accounts Committee Tackling fraud and error in benefit expenditure 2024-25 All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
We also asked the Department how it communicates with members of the public who raise concerns about potential cases of fraud, in particular what it tells them about how the cases have been resolved. The Department acknowledged the importance of ensuring that people feel raising a concern is worthwhile, and agreed to consider what more it might be able to do.51 It subsequently wrote to tell us that, where a fraud referral was received, it confirms receipt and explains that no details on the outcome of the case can be provided. It said that, generally, it cannot provide updates as there is no lawful basis to disclose this information to a third party. The Department 43 DWP report (on accounts), para 28 44 DWP report (overpayments), para 17 45 Committee of Public Accounts, DWP Customer Service and Accounts 2023–24, Sixth Report of Session 2024–25, HC 354, 31 January 2025, para 5 46 Q 41 47 Q 40 48 Qq 14, 40 49 Q 14 50 Q 40 51 Qq 44-46 14 noted, however, that it was sympathetic to the points we had raised, and committed to explore what was possible within the confines of the legislation and to update us when it had done so.52 Carer’s Allowance
From: Public Accounts Committee, 66th Report - Tackling fraud and error in benefit expenditure 2024-25 (HC 1231), 11 February 2026
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 7 April 2026 (deadline 11 April 2026).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government agrees with most of the Committee's recommendations, stating that several are already implemented, but disagrees with two: setting a more stretching overpayment ambition and updating people who report suspected fraud.
- On a more stretching overpayment ambition, the government disagrees; the department is working with the NAO to agree what constitutes a cost-effective control environment and is "not yet able to accept this recommendation" until then. It aims to reduce fraud and error to 2.8% by 2028-29.
- On spending the £3.5 billion of dedicated funding, the government agrees and says the recommendation is implemented. It states the department has committed to gross savings of £14.6 billion up to the end of 2030-31 from fraud, error and debt activity.
- On the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025, the government agrees. It states it is the department's intention to include "proportionate and appropriate reporting" on the powers in its Annual Report and Accounts as they are implemented.
- On carers affected by inaccurate guidance, the government agrees and says the department will write to the Public Accounts and Work and Pensions Committees every six months, with the first update in September 2026.