Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

DWP Fraud, Error and Debt Bill

08 October 2024 · Department for Work and Pensions

Proposed by Liz Kendall Lab Leicester West

Benefits & Welfare

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • Government plans to introduce a Fraud, Error and Debt Bill to tackle fraud and reduce overpayments in the social security system.
  • The bill aims to save up to 1.6 billion over five years by extending the Department for Work and Pensions' powers to stop fraud and recover lost money.
  • Measures to prevent incorrect payments and introduce safeguards for fair use of the new powers are also included in the bill.

Issue summary

The Government plans to introduce a new Fraud, Error and Debt Bill to tackle fraud and reduce overpayments in the social security system.

Action requested

The government will bring forward a new Fraud, Error and Debt Bill that aims to save up to £1.6 billion over five years by extending DWP's powers to stop fraud and recover lost money while protecting claimants from debt accumulation. The bill also includes measures to prevent incorrect payments and introduce safeguards for fair use of the new powers.

Key facts

  • Fraud and error in social security costs taxpayers almost £10 billion a year.
  • Since the pandemic, £35 billion of taxpayer's money has been incorrectly paid, including to criminal gangs.
  • The bill will save up to £1.6 billion over five years.
  • New powers will help identify and prevent potential overpayments, reducing financial difficulties for claimants.
  • Safeguarding measures, reporting mechanisms, and independent oversight will be introduced.
  • DWP staff training on new powers is planned.
  • Some of DWPs fraud powers have not been updated in over 20 years.
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