Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Benefit overpayments are at their highest estimated rates and have risen consistently since 2015–16.
Conclusion
Benefit overpayments are at their highest estimated rates and have risen consistently since 2015–16. Excluding State Pension, the estimated rate of overpayments increased again to 4.8% (£4.5 billion) of estimated benefit expenditure of £93.1 billion for 2019–20, from a restated rate of 4.4% (£3.8 billion) in 2018–19. The estimated rate of underpayments, excluding State Pension, decreased to 2.0% (£1.9 billion) in 2019–20, from its restated rate of 2.2% (£1.9 billion) in 2018–19.19
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 25 March 2021. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗