Correspondence Jan. 29 2025
Committee: Work and Pensions Committee (Department: Department for Work and Pensions)Found: Today we introduced the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill to the House of Commons
Oct. 22 2024
Source Page: I. Universal Credit guidance 2024 [update of previous guidance deposited April 2024, DEP2024-0442]. 207 docs. II. Letter dated 16/10/2024 from Stephen Timms MP to the Deposited Papers Clerk regarding documents for deposit in the House libraries. Incl. file list at Annex D. 8p.Found: If the debts are equal to each other on the priority list, for example, they are all fraud overpayments
Jan. 06 2025
Source Page: Jailed Covid fraudster ordered to repay Bounce Back Loan in fullFound: taxpayer funds at the start of the pandemic but then proceeded to use the loan to pay off personal debts
Mentions:
1: Luke Charters (Lab - York Outer) service and a centralised register would help the public to verify all bailiffs’ credentials, reducing fraud - Speech Link
2: Alex Davies-Jones (Lab - Pontypridd) Those debts and fines are owed to a wide range of parties, from private individuals and small businesses - Speech Link
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how data collected from benefit claimants’ bank accounts will be used to inform decisions about (a) fraud, (b) eligibility and (c) compliance.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Fraud and error in the social security system currently costs the taxpayer almost £10 billion a year and, since the pandemic, a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled. We are determined to reduce those levels.
As set out by the National Audit Office, access to data is key to prevention and detection of incorrect payments. The Eligibility Verification Measure (EVM) in the proposed Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money. It will require banks and financial institutions to share limited information with the DWP to help verify benefit eligibility by flagging possible conflicts with eligibility rules – for example the £16,000 capital limit in Universal Credit. The information gathered will help DWP identify incorrect payments, prevent debts from accruing for the claimant and help identify where there may be fraudulent activity.
The legislation will set out key safeguards, including reporting mechanisms and independent oversight. No benefit entitlement decision will be made solely because of the data obtained under EVM and a final decision on benefit entitlement will always involve a human agent. If a claimant wishes to challenge or appeal a benefit decision, they can do so following DWP's appeals processes.
Further details will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament.
Mentions:
1: Rebecca Smith (Con - South West Devon) That will allow DWP officials to be able to pursue the enforcement of debts via the court without the - Speech Link
2: Andrew Western (Lab - Stretford and Urmston) Member for Horsham wants to intervene on that, he is welcome to.On the question of whether fraud and - Speech Link
3: Andrew Western (Lab - Stretford and Urmston) first-time offenders or those who commit low-value fraud an alternative to prosecution. - Speech Link
4: Andrew Western (Lab - Stretford and Urmston) and at what level we consider that fraud to be.On the hon. - Speech Link
Written Evidence May. 14 2025
Inquiry: Child MaintenanceFound: suffers from systemic failings, engages in practices amounting to financial manipulation and potential fraud
Asked by: Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party - East Londonderry)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether recipients who have not been suspected of benefit fraudulent activity will be subject to having their personal bank account details scrutinised.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Fraud and error in the social security system currently costs the taxpayer almost £10 billion a year and, since the pandemic, a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled. The DWP is determined to reduce those levels.
The Eligibility Verification Measure (EVM) in the proposed Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money. The proposed new power instead helps verify benefit eligibility, using very limited information from banks and financial institutions. As set out by the National Audit Office, access to data is key to prevention and detection of incorrect payments.
EVM will require banks and financial institutions to look within their own data to highlight where someone may not be eligible for the benefits they are receiving. The data will only be sent to DWP if there is a possible conflict with the benefit eligibility rules, such as the £16,000 capital limit in Universal Credit or individuals living abroad without notifying the Department.
The information gathered will help DWP identify incorrect payments, prevent debts from accruing for the claimant and help identify where there may be fraudulent activity. No benefit entitlement decision will be made solely because of the data obtained under EVM and a final decision on benefit entitlement will always involve a human agent.
Further details will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department plans to take to monitor the use of powers granting her Department's investigators access to benefit claimants’ bank accounts.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Fraud and error in the social security system currently costs the taxpayer almost £10 billion a year and, since the pandemic, a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled. We are determined to reduce those levels.
As set out by the National Audit Office, access to data is key to prevention and detection of incorrect payments. The Eligibility Verification Measure (EVM) in the proposed Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money. It will require banks and financial institutions to share limited information with the DWP to help verify benefit eligibility by flagging possible conflicts with eligibility rules – for example the £16,000 capital limit in Universal Credit. The information gathered will help DWP identify incorrect payments, prevent debts from accruing for the claimant and help identify where there may be fraudulent activity.
The legislation will set out key safeguards, including reporting mechanisms and independent oversight. No benefit entitlement decision will be made solely because of the data obtained under EVM and a final decision on benefit entitlement will always involve a human agent. If a claimant wishes to challenge or appeal a benefit decision, they can do so following DWP's appeals processes.
Further details will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department plans to take to allow benefit claimants to challenge or appeal decisions made based on scrutiny of their bank accounts.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Fraud and error in the social security system currently costs the taxpayer almost £10 billion a year and, since the pandemic, a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled. We are determined to reduce those levels.
As set out by the National Audit Office, access to data is key to prevention and detection of incorrect payments. The Eligibility Verification Measure (EVM) in the proposed Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money. It will require banks and financial institutions to share limited information with the DWP to help verify benefit eligibility by flagging possible conflicts with eligibility rules – for example the £16,000 capital limit in Universal Credit. The information gathered will help DWP identify incorrect payments, prevent debts from accruing for the claimant and help identify where there may be fraudulent activity.
The legislation will set out key safeguards, including reporting mechanisms and independent oversight. No benefit entitlement decision will be made solely because of the data obtained under EVM and a final decision on benefit entitlement will always involve a human agent. If a claimant wishes to challenge or appeal a benefit decision, they can do so following DWP's appeals processes.
Further details will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament.