Welfare Fraud Serious and Organised Crime 2025-03-17
2025-03-17
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Q1
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The question addresses the increasing issue of benefit fraud, particularly pension credit fraud, which has seen a significant rise in recent years. The MP notes that capital fraud and prolonged stays abroad account for 50% of all pension credit fraud.
I welcome the new powers in the fraud Bill, and note the huge increase in pension credit fraud in recent years. Can the Minister explain how capital fraud and fraud in which recipients stay out of the country for longer than the rules require, which together account for 50% of all pension credit fraud, will be targeted under the new rules?
My hon. Friend is right to raise this issue. The eligibility verification measure in the new Bill will do just that, providing a crucial data feed to help us identify fraud that relates to pension credit as well as to universal credit and employment and support allowance. This will flag up claimants who are potentially in breach of eligibility under capital and abroad criteria, so that we can start to lower the unacceptable level of fraud and protect the public purse.
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