Algorithmic Bias in Benefit Claims

Concerns regarding the potential for data analytics and machine learning algorithms used in benefit claims processing to result in unfair treatment.

770 items 5 sources
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Where this theme appears

Algorithmic Bias in Benefit Claims has been flagged across 5 independent accountability sources:

32 committee recs 6 NAO recs 1 IMB rec 5 PHSO decisions 726 LGO/SPSO decisions

When the same issue appears across inquiries, coroner reports, and regulators independently, it indicates a recurring issue across the public record.

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Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.

#37 — Public Law Project warns of bias and transparency risks in DWP's machine learning for fraud.
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: However, written evidence we received from the Public Law Project raised a series of risks around DWP’s use of machine learning to tackle fraud. In particular, it noted the risk of machine learning taking on human biases when it was …
Gov response: 7.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2025 7.2 The department will support an in-confidence session with the Committee and departmental officials to set out the 2024 fairness analysis assessment. …
Accepted
#36 — DWP uses machine learning for fraud, but with limited transparency on fairness assessment.
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: DWP is implementing machine learning techniques to help it identify fraud in benefit expenditure. It has one machine learning model in operation, for new UC advance claims, alongside several others in development.69 The previous Public Accounts Committee raised concerns about …
Gov response: 7.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2025 7.2 The department will support an in-confidence session with the Committee and departmental officials to set out the 2024 fairness analysis assessment. …
Accepted
#7 — Share fairness impact assessment results for machine learning to reassure against unfair claimant treatment.
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: We remain concerned about the potential negative impact on protected groups and vulnerable customers of DWP’s use of machine learning to identify potential fraud. The previous Public Accounts Committee repeatedly raised concerns about the impact of data analytics and machine …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. departmental officials to set out the 2024 fairness analysis assessment. Moving forward, the department has made a commitment at the Work and Pensions Select Committee on 29 January …
Accepted
#15 — Develop an ethical AI framework for employment support in collaboration with the sector.
Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation: DWP should work with the employment support sector to develop a framework for the ethical use of AI in employment support. (Recommendation, Paragraph 78) ‘Good jobs’ not ‘any jobs’
Gov response: DWP recognises the invaluable part played by the voluntary and community sector in supporting customers alongside DWP and agrees that forming a more coherent view of the current position is useful. As part of the …
Partially Accepted
#14 — Provide detailed plans for 'Jobcentre in your pocket' outlining public expectations and journal interaction.
Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation: In its response to this report, DWP should provide more details about its plans for a ‘Jobcentre in your pocket’. DWP should set out what the public can expect from a ‘Jobcentre in your pocket’, how it will interact with …
Gov response: DWP is actively working with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and departments leading Industrial Strategy Sectors to ensure our employment support offer is embedded within sector plans. This includes collaborating with DBT on …
Accepted
#13 — DWP's 'Jobcentre in your pocket' digital tool lacks definition and fails to address AI risks.
Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation: DWP’s solution to a lack of work coach capacity is to use digital tools, with its flagship plan being a ‘Jobcentre in your pocket’. DWP plans to deliver this digital tool in 2027–28, but has yet to define what it …
Gov response: We appreciate the emphasis on strengthening engagement with local employers and fully support the intent behind this recommendation. We agree that employer engagement is a critical lever for improving outcomes and recognise the value of …
Partially Accepted
#13 —
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: We asked the Department how it ensured that vulnerable claimants were taken into account, in particular when it uses data analytics and machine learning. The Department told us that it was considering and testing for vulnerability “at every stage”.23 It …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: November 2023 5.2 The department is committed to ensuring that all the right assurances and governance is in place for its data and analytics functions, …
Accepted
#5 —
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: The Department’s lack of transparency over its use of data analytics risks eroding public trust in the benefit system. The Department’s strategy to bring down fraud and error will depend increasingly on the use of data analytics and machine learning …
Gov response: The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. The department has engaged with the Social Security Advisory Committee whose primary purpose is to scrutinise proposed regulations that underpin the social welfare system on behalf of the …
Not Accepted
#31 — Algorithmic bias in DWP systems acknowledged, but evidence of unfair impacts remains inconclusive.
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: We challenged DWP to explain how it would address the risk that legitimate benefit claims are unfairly delayed or reduced as a result of an algorithms targeting innocent behaviour, such as frequent changes of circumstances. DWP acknowledged that some level …
Gov response: 6.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 6.2 The department is committed to reporting annually to Parliament on its assessment of the impact of data analytics on protected groups and vulnerable claimants with the …
Not Accepted
#30 — Concerns persist regarding machine learning's potential unfairness and bias for vulnerable claimants.
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: We received written evidence from the Child Poverty Action Group and from the Public Law Project expressing concern about the potential unfairness of machine learning, particularly with regard to vulnerable claimants and people with protected characteristics.70 We asked DWP whether …
Gov response: 6.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 6.2 The department is committed to reporting annually to Parliament on its assessment of the impact of data analytics on protected groups and vulnerable claimants with the …
Not Accepted
#24 —
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: The Department explained that, in order to manage the risk of unintended bias in the use of data analytics to identify fraud, it ensured that there was always meaningful human involvement in decision-making, and that it undertook ‘fairness analysis’ to …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: November 2023 5.2 The department is committed to ensuring that all the right assurances and governance is in place for its data and analytics functions, …
Accepted
#22 —
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: As part of our previous examination of the Department’s 2019–20 Accounts, we recommended that the Department should monitor and report any discrimination or bias caused by using artificial intelligence and machine learning on different claimant groups.41 In its response to …
Gov response: 5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: November 2023 5.2 The department is committed to ensuring that all the right assurances and governance is in place for its data and analytics …
Not Addressed
#1 — Automated payment system provides swift support but is limited in targeting specific group needs.
Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation: We welcome the automated nature of the payment system, which enabled the swift issue of cash support to many of those most in need. However, we recognise that it is limited in its ability to target payments and therefore meet …
Gov response: The Department is committed to providing direct and timely relief to those who need it most, which was especially important during the inflationary pressures leading to the rising cost of living. The automated, one-off payment …
Accepted
#6 — Assess impact of data analytics and machine learning on legitimate claims and specific groups.
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: DWP has not yet done enough to understand the impact of machine learning on customers and provide them with confidence that it will not result in unfair treatment. DWP is expanding its use of advanced data analytics to tackle fraud. …
Gov response: The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. The department is committed to reporting annually to Parliament on its assessment of the impact of data analytics on protected groups and vulnerable claimants with the first assessment …
Not Accepted
#16 — DWP uses AI for written vulnerability screening, plans phone system for equivalent identification
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: DWP also told us that it had been using artificial intelligence to scan customers’ written communications for words and phrases that could indicate vulnerability so that it could provide support quickly. In subsequent correspondence, it highlighted that this technology solution …
Gov response: 3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 3.2 The department captures customers’ additional needs through its systems. This is a key part of its modernisation strategy, but it recognises that its current …
Accepted
#23 —
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: We asked the Department about the degree of transparency that the public can expect to have about how its data analytics and machine learning tools will work. The Department told us that this was a “challenging balance”. It cautioned that …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: November 2023 5.2 The department is committed to ensuring that all the right assurances and governance is in place for its data and analytics functions, …
Not Addressed
#43 — Mandate human review and verification of AI-assisted decisions affecting individuals
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation: The potential for human error and bias notwithstanding, deployers should not solely rely on outputs produced with AI tools to determine their decision-making, particularly in areas that could affect the rights and standing of the individuals or entities concerned, such …
Gov response: AI-driven automated decision-making can play an important role in delivering effective services and improving productivity. The UK’s data protection framework strikes a balance between enabling the best use of the technology whilst providing safeguards for …
Accepted
#33 — Require AI model developers to summarise bias mitigation and report output bias levels.
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation: Model developers and deployers should be required to summarise what steps they have taken to account for bias in datasets used to train models, and to statistically report on the levels of bias present in outputs produced using AI tools. …
Gov response: The Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) is now mandatory for all Government departments, with an intent to extend to the broader public sector over time. It includes fields on risks and appropriate mitigations taken to …
Accepted
#32 — Require robust, independent testing and performance analysis for AI models prior to deployment.
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation: AI can entrench and accelerate existing biases. The current Government, future administrations and sectoral regulators should require deployers of AI models and tools to submit them to robust, independent testing and performance analysis prior to deployment. (Paragraph 140) 56 Governance …
Gov response: 56 Governance of artificial intelligence (AI)
Not Accepted
#20 — Extend Algorithmic Transparency Standard to all public bodies from January 2025.
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation: The requirement for Government departments to use the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard should be extended to all public bodies sponsored by Government departments, from 1 January 2025. (Paragraph 77) The AI Safety Institute
Gov response: Public sector adoption is a key part of the AI Opportunities Action Plan. The public sector takes advantage of the best emerging use-cases and tools. Further updates on this will be shared. In regard to …
Under Consideration
#38 — DWP commits to further assurance on fairness of machine learning techniques for benefits.
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: We stressed that we would like to be satisfied that DWP’s use of machine learning is fair and consistent. DWP highlighted its main safeguard, which is that it would never stop benefit payments to a customer due to an AI …
Gov response: 7.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2025 7.2 The department will support an in-confidence session with the Committee and departmental officials to set out the 2024 fairness analysis assessment. …
Accepted
#23 —
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: The Department told us that it is starting to build a system that is based on ‘transaction risking’; its vision is to be in a place where it can, in real time, or near real time, assess every claim as …
Gov response: The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: July 2021 4.2 The department is able to track the effectiveness of new technologies. The department is also conscious of the need to address any …
Not Addressed
#12 —
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: Universal Credit has the highest estimated overpayment rate of all measured benefits—9.4% (£1.7 billion) for 2019–20—and it has an estimated underpayment rate of 1.1% (£0.2 billion). This is the highest recorded overpayment rate for any benefit other than Tax Credits …
Gov response: 2: PAC conclusion: Even before COVID-19, fraud and error overpayments were at their highest ever rates, with around £1 in £10 of Universal Credit paid incorrectly. 2: PAC recommendation: The Department needs to show sustained …
Not Addressed
#4 —
Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation: The systems that legacy benefits run on are not fit for purpose. It is disappointing that the Department has not adapted its IT systems to allow for flexibility in uprating these benefits to respond to national events. The Department has …
Gov response: The temporary uplift in Universal Credit (UC) was intended to support those most affected financially by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic when being newly unemployed. The cost-of-living situation now is different and affects everyone. …
Not Accepted
#21 —
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: However, the PSFA also told us that there are instances where legislation, written some time ago, does not fully support the effective deployment of modern data analytics techniques. For example, the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 does not allow …
Response Pending
#18 —
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: To ensure transparency, government bodies are required to disclose the use of algorithms, AI and machine learning through the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) hub.52 As at February 2026 the hub, which requires records of any such items used in …
Response Pending
#8 —
Petitions Committee
Recommendation: The risk assessments platforms will be required to carry out under the new online safety regulatory framework must not treat all users as being equally at risk from abusive content or behaviour. Instead, we recommend that platforms should be required …
Gov response: We thank the Committee for its suggestion. However, we do not believe that reformulating this regulatory framework around a single foundational duty would be desirable or effective. It would leave Ofcom with very high-level duties …
Accepted
#8 — Challenges in controlling Universal Credit fraud relating to household composition persist
Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation: We asked the Department about its controls to prevent fraud and error, particularly in relation to Universal Credit. It said that, because it was monitoring controls, it was able to identify where there were possible weaknesses and make continuous improvements. …
Gov response: 1. PAC conclusion: The department has started to make progress in bringing down the level of benefit overpayments, but the current rate is still too high. 1. PAC recommendation: The department should set out in …
Not Accepted
#28 —
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation: The Government says it will make it illegal for landlords to have blanket bans on letting to benefit recipients. If this is a commitment to preventing landlords from discriminating against benefit recipients, it is unrealistic. If it is a commitment …
Gov response: Prohibiting blanket bans on those in receipt of benefits or with children is an important step to protect prospective tenants and their families. It will help make sure that low- income tenants and families don’t …
Partially Accepted
#15 — Include warnings on Lifetime ISA products about inferiority for potential Universal Credit claimants.
Treasury Committee
Recommendation: If the Government is unwilling to equalise the treatment of the Lifetime ISA with other Government-subsidised retirement savings products in Universal Credit assessments, Lifetime ISA products must include warnings that the Lifetime ISA is an inferior product for anyone who …
Gov response: We will consider the recommendation in the future development of the policy. However, the Lifetime ISA is a savings product and other savings and investments products, which may also be used for later life, also …
Not Addressed
#14 — Treat Lifetime ISA savings equally to other pension products within Universal Credit means testing.
Treasury Committee
Recommendation: If the Government wants to encourage long-term saving for retirement through Lifetime ISAs, it must treat the savings in a Lifetime ISA in the same way as other pension savings products as part of the Universal Credit means test. (Recommendation, …
Gov response: The Lifetime ISA is a savings product. As with other savings and investments products it counts towards calculation of UC. In calculating entitlement to UC it is the realisable value of the Lifetime ISA which …
Not Accepted
#13 — Inconsistency identified in Lifetime ISA treatment within Universal Credit eligibility assessments.
Treasury Committee
Recommendation: The Government’s argument that the LISA should be included within a Universal Credit eligibility assessment because the Government has contributed to the balance within the LISA is inconsistent. The Government provides higher levels of contribution through tax relief to many …
Gov response: The Lifetime ISA is a savings product. As with other savings and investments products it counts towards calculation of UC. In calculating entitlement to UC it is the realisable value of the Lifetime ISA which …
Not Addressed
DWP Report on Account 2022/23
g as part of its response to PAC due in November 2023, DWP should seek to improve public confidence in its use of advanced data analytics by committing to regularly publishing summaries of: ? its assessment of bias in machine …
Accepted
Delivery of employment support schemes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
While payments under the schemes have ended, the need to bear down on error and fraud has not. HMRC should: a) as part of strengthening its methodology for remaining compliance work, analyse its performance in tackling the main risks of …
Accepted
Department for Work and Pensions annual report and accounts 2018-19
• further analyse the causes of fraud and error due to misreporting of income and earnings in Universal Credit, including whether Real Time Information data are accurately identifying misreporting of employment and occupational pensions income;
Accepted
Department for Work and Pensions annual report and accounts 2018-19
• continue work to understand the reasons for the fraud and error rates for Universal Credit, including how the causes of fraud and error compare with those for other benefits and use this to determine its fraud and error strategy …
Accepted
Gambling regulation: problem gambling and protecting vulnerable people
The Commission and DCMS should: e) develop a deeper understanding of the causes and impacts of gambling?related harm. This should include the Commission’s own research programme as well its engagement with the wider research community. It could include, in particular, …
Accepted
Department for Work and Pensions annual report and accounts 2018-19
The Department should: • make better use of its data on income from other benefits to identify misreporting of benefit income and eradicate this cause of overpayments and underpayments;
Accepted
22-002-948 — Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the complainant’s former employment with the Council. This is because the law prevents us from investigating employment related complaints. We will not investigate the complaint about council tax and council tax reduction because the Council has proposed a fair remedy.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jun 2022
23-006-213 — Royal Borough of Greenwich
Summary: Mrs X complained about the Council’s handling of her Housing Benefit, Council Tax, Council Tax Support, and a Severe Mental Impairment (SMI) exemption. We have concluded our investigation and find fault in how the Council handled a housing benefit appeal and how it failed to issue proper appeal rights …
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Upheld Jul 2025
25-003-185 — Westminster City Council
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about court action taken by the Council for council tax arrears. This is because the complainant has started legal proceedings against the Council.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Aug 2025
25-006-838 — London Borough of Islington
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the amount of a council tax credit is wrong. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Sep 2025
25-014-496 — Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Nov 2025
25-012-967 — Woking Borough Council
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax
25-012-315 — Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax
24-017-575 — Wokingham Borough Council
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax
25-008-305 — Birmingham City Council
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Upheld
25-019-030 — London Borough of Barnet
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax
21-016-099 — Coventry City Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about how the Council handled a reassessment of his council tax support claim. Mr X has a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal if he disagrees with the decision. It is reasonable for him to go to the Information Commissioner if …
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Feb 2022
21-015-664 — London Borough of Hounslow
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the way the Council calculated the complainant’s housing benefit and raised an overpayment. This is because the complainant can use her review and appeal rights.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Mar 2022
21-016-480 — Central Bedfordshire Council
Mr X complains about the way the Council sent him council tax bills. We will not investigate this complaint because the matter has been remedied.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Upheld Mar 2022
21-017-379 — East Lindsey District Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the so-called ‘bedroom tax’ because the complainant can use her review and appeal rights.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Mar 2022
21-010-040 — Sunderland City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this council tax complaint regarding the removal of a discount and subsequent refund. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault regarding the discount and because the Council has provided a fair remedy in relation to the refund. The complainant’s request for information is …
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Upheld Mar 2022
21-007-369 — City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Summary: Mr B complained on behalf of Mr C that the Council had refused to forward his housing benefit appeal to the Tribunal service. We found the Council at fault, but we do not consider this caused Mr C an injustice.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Upheld Apr 2022
22-001-808 — Birmingham City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about housing benefit overpayment which dates from 2009 to 2014. Mr X has or had the right to appeal to a tribunal against overpayment of housing benefit which it would have been reasonable to expect him to use. Additionally, we cannot investigate a …
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax May 2022
22-000-143 — London Borough of Brent
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint alleging a 2-year underpayment of Housing Benefit. This is because the complainant has a right of appeal to the specialist Housing Benefit tribunal. And it is reasonable to expect her to use this appeal right.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jun 2022
21-012-667 — Cherwell District Council
Summary: Ms X complains about the Council’s decision to take enforcement action for historic council tax arrears and the handling of her vulnerability as a debtor. We do not find fault in the Council’s decision to pursue the historic debts. However, we have found fault in the Council’s handling of …
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Upheld Jun 2022
22-003-653 — London Borough of Barnet
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a landlord being made liable for a council tax bill when it should be the tenant who is liable. It would be reasonable for the complainant to appeal against the bill at the Valuation Tribunal.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jun 2022
22-003-276 — London Borough of Harrow
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about matters related to Ms X’s council tax. It is unlikely we would criticise the Council’s decision not to allow Ms X to pay on a different day of the month, or the Council’s decision to take recovery action. Other parts of the …
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jun 2022
22-003-174 — Eastbourne Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about lack of access to Ms X’s council tax account because it has been remedied.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Upheld Jun 2022
22-002-833 — Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to determine a council tax request as the matter has been remedied and there is a right of appeal to a tribunal.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jun 2022
24-003-690 — Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about Council tax liability because there is a right of appeal to a Valuation Tribunal.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jun 2024
23-017-488 — Plymouth City Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about council tax liability. This is because there is not enough evidence of any fault and Mrs X can appeal to the valuation tribunal.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jun 2024
23-016-432 — City of York Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision on a Council Tax discount because it is reasonable for Ms X to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jun 2024
23-014-351 — Thurrock Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council employing enforcement agents to collect unpaid council tax debts. There is insufficient evidence of fault which would warrant an investigation.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jun 2024
24-002-413 — East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint that the Council withdrew a council tax refund after it had issued the closing bill. This is because there is insufficient evidence of injustice.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jun 2024
23-016-456 — Westmorland and Furness Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a Council tax bill Mrs X says she is not liable for. This is because Mrs X has a right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal, and it would be reasonable for her to use it.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jun 2024
24-003-092 — London Borough of Haringey
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s management of Mr X’s council tax account. This is because he has right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal and it would be reasonable for him to use it.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jun 2024
24-002-500 — Fenland District Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s decision to remove the complainant’s single person discount from his council tax. This is because the complainant can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jul 2024
24-002-400 — Dacorum Borough Council
Summary: We cannot investigate this complaint about the Council billing the complainant for council tax, as well as taking court action for non-payment. This is because the issues raised have been considered during legal proceedings. Further, it would have been reasonable for the complainant to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal …
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jul 2024
23-018-129 — Salford City Council
Summary: We will not investigate Ms X’s complaint about the Council failing to ask her for relevant information which she considers would have affected her welfare benefit claims. This is because the actions complained about are not the administrative function of a council.
LGO (Local Government & … Other Categories Jul 2024
25-001-218 — London Borough of Lambeth
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a delay in Business rates liability because it relates to a body out of jurisdiction and there is no evidence of fault by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax May 2025
24-023-044 — Vale Of White Horse District Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s delay in Council tax billing. The Council has apologised and offered a payment plan. There is insufficient remaining injustice, and further investigation would not achieve a different outcome.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jul 2025
24-021-971 — City of York Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a housing benefit overpayment because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jul 2025
25-004-453 — City of Doncaster Council
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful application for a Discretionary Housing Payment. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Aug 2025
25-004-433 — London Borough of Haringey
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about an unsuccessful application for a Discretionary Housing Payment. This is because there is insufficient evidence of fault by the Council.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Aug 2025
25-006-586 — London Borough of Waltham Forest
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that the Council could not trace his Council Tax payment. This is because it is unlikely we could add to the Council’s previous investigation.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Oct 2025
24-011-936 — London Borough of Barnet
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about a council tax error leading to bailiff action because the Council has agreed to provide a fair remedy.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Upheld Nov 2024
24-015-472 — Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint that his property is in the wrong council tax band. This is because we cannot investigate the banding decision made by the Valuation Office Agency. Also, the Council is not at fault for using the band provided by the Valuation Office Agency.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Dec 2024
25-012-431 — Royal Borough of Greenwich
Summary: We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the Council’s recovery of a council tax debt. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Dec 2025
25-011-174 — Salford City Council
Summary: We will not investigate Mr X’s complaint about the Council’s decision to decline his application for council tax support, and its decision to recover overdue council tax via an Attachment of Earnings. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault to warrant an investigation.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Dec 2025
25-013-349 — Manchester City Council
disabled band reduction for council tax. It is reasonable to expect Mrs X to use her right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. The Council has taken suitable action regarding its delay, and the remaining injustice is not significant enough to warrant investigation.
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Jan 2026
25-013-175 — Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax
25-014-000 — North East Lincolnshire Council
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax
25-015-217 — Bristol City Council
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax
25-015-527 — London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax
25-021-559 — London Borough of Tower Hamlets
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax Upheld
25-018-164 — East Devon District Council
LGO (Local Government & … Benefits And Tax
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