18

DWP identifies potential in cross-government data to combat benefit fraud and error.

Conclusion
The Department told us that there were data sources from across government and beyond that its systems could potentially use to help drive down fraud and error, and that it was very keen to exploit such opportunities.31 We note that there is information that the Department for Education and councils have that could help the Department to verify household composition as part of its checks for Universal Credit.32
Government Response

A response document is linked to this report, dated 7 April 2026. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.

Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.6 yr
Report published 11 Feb 2026