Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Departments need to ensure that they detect fraud and error and recover overpayments wherever possible.84...
Conclusion
Departments need to ensure that they detect fraud and error and recover overpayments wherever possible.84 HM Treasury told us it is up to departments to undertake an assessment of how feasible it is to recover funds lost to fraud and error. DWP told us it has a “lot of different ways of recovering debt”.85 For example DWP explained that debt recovery from vulnerable individuals through the Breathing Space Scheme is by a reduction of benefits and there is a cap in place where this reduction would cause hardship.86 Cabinet Office told us that it has started making moves towards increasing the commonality of sanctions applied by departments and has an “aspiration” to open up powers and sanctions to allow other parts of government to access them as part of their counter-fraud arrangements.87
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
1.3. Departments take a risk-based approach to fraud and error overall. This is in line with best practice and is advocated by the Government Counter Fraud Function (GCFF). The use of a risk based approach is supported by the Counter Fraud Functional Standard, the National Audit Office’s good practice guidance and the Orange Book.