1
Rejected
Committee took evidence from DWP and HMRC on fraud, error, and National Insurance records.
Conclusion
On the basis of a Report by the Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG), we took evidence from the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) on its 2022–23 Annual Report & Accounts and the level of fraud and error in the benefits it administers.2 We also took evidence from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) due to its role in administering National Insurance records.
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with an implied recommendation regarding a 5% assumption, stating it cannot be compared to official fraud and error statistics in isolation due to various influencing factors.
Government Response
Rejected
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. The 5% assumption cannot be compared to the official fraud and error statistics in isolation. Fraud and error outcomes are influenced by a broad range of factors, such as the department’s expanding detection activity. Therefore, it is not possible to identify what proportion of change in the statistics is specifically due to an increase in fraudulent behaviour.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Report
Fourth Report - The Department for Work & Pensions Annual Report and Accounts 2022–23
06 Dec 2023
HC 290
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
2.5 yrs
Report published
06 Dec 2023