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Fraud, Error and Debt National Statistics and Unfulfilled Eligibility Statistics 2025-26

14 May 2026

Proposing MP
Andrew Western Lab
Stretford and Urmston
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
View on Parliament.uk -->

At a Glance

Issue Summary

This statement addresses the annual statistics for frau [4D [K fraud and error in the UK benefit system for the financial year ending 2026 [4D [K 2026.

Action Requested

The minister highlights progress in reducing overpay [7D [K overpayments to meet OBR forecasts by 2028/29, reports on the Public Author [6D [K Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act, and announces the publication [K of Unfulfilled Eligibility statistics. No specific future action is propose [7D [K proposed beyond reporting.

Key Facts

  • UC overpayments have dropped to 8.5%, below pre-pandemic [K levels.
  • Overall rate of overpayments in FYE 2025/26 was 3.2% (£9.9bn).
  • [11D [K (£9.9bn).
  • Overpayments due to fraud are at 2.2%, claimant error at 0.6%, [5D [K 0.6%, and official error at 0.4%.
  • The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error a [1D [K and Recovery) Act received Royal Assent on December 2nd, 2025.
  • The Act i [1D [K is estimated to deliver £2.1 billion in benefits by 2030/31.
  • Total unful [5D [K unfulfilled eligibility rate in FYE 2026 was 1.2% (£3.7bn).
  • Department w [1D [K will report on overpayments and underpayments in its Annual Report and Acco [4D [K Accounts due in July 2026.
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