Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 27
27
The Department’s accounts show that as at 31 March 2020, claimants owed it £5.3 billion...
Conclusion
The Department’s accounts show that as at 31 March 2020, claimants owed it £5.3 billion from benefit overpayments (£2.6 billion), benefit advances (£1.0 billion) and Tax Credits (£1.8 billion). This represents a significant annual increase of 39% (£1.5 billion) on the £3.8 balance owed as at 31 March 2019. Other amounts owed, such as those from Social Fund loans, are not included in these figures.54
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 ↗