Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Rejected
Committee took evidence from DWP and HMRC on fraud, error, and National Insurance records.
Conclusion
On the basis of a Report by the Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG), we took evidence from the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) on its 2022–23 Annual Report & Accounts and the level of fraud and error in the benefits it administers.2 We also took evidence from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) due to its role in administering National Insurance records.
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with an implied recommendation regarding a 5% assumption, stating it cannot be compared to official fraud and error statistics in isolation due to various influencing factors.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. The 5% assumption cannot be compared to the official fraud and error statistics in isolation. Fraud and error outcomes are influenced by a broad range of factors, such as the department’s expanding detection activity. Therefore, it is not possible to identify what proportion of change in the statistics is specifically due to an increase in fraudulent behaviour.