The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act, which received Royal Assent in December 2025, extends the Department’s powers to tackle fraud and error and recover any associated losses.36 The Department’s new powers include the ability to compel banks and other financial institutions to provide information to help it verify a claimant’s eligibility and entitlement for certain benefits. It will also have greater information-gathering powers whereby a larger range of third parties could be required to provide information to the Department in support of criminal investigations.37