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Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Asked by Mary Kelly FoyLabourDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 3 March 2026UIN 115499

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of its internal review process for fraud investigations in cases where a claimant provides evidence of (a) identity and (b) location that contradicts the Department's initial findings.

Answered by Andrew Western

The Department has robust investigation processes in place to address allegations of identity and residency fraud. The Department is also bringing in additional inspection of our end-to-end investigations following the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 through His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in England and Wales and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMICS) in Scotland.

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