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Written question asked by Adam Jogee (Labour) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. It was answered by Lilian Greenwood (Labour) on Monday, 21 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to tackle fraud in the welfare system since 1 January 2026.

Answer

Since the Autumn Budget 2024 DWP has committed to delivering gross savings of £14.6bn up to the end of 2030-31 from fraud, error and debt activity

In 2026, the Department has continued to strengthen its approach to tackling fraud and error across the welfare system through increased operational activity, the use of new powers, and targeted interventions to identify incorrect claims. These activities include:

- investments to deploy up to 3,000 additional staff within counter fraud teams,

- delivering the extension of Targeted Case Reviews (TCR) in Universal Credit to check accuracy of claims at risk of being incorrect,

- introducing Pension Credit Claim Reviews (PCCR) to check claims at risk of being incorrect,

- the implementation of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 (PAFER) which introduces new powers to better identify, prevent and deter fraud and error

- and continuing to seek prosecutions in the courts for those who commit benefit fraud.

Overall, levels of benefit fraud are the lowest since the pandemic and currently stand at 2.2%, compared to a peak of 3.0% in FYE 2022.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
23798
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Fraud Social security benefits
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk