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Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Asked by Lee AndersonReform UKDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 1 July 2026UIN 12236

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information his Department holds on the number of people found guilty of benefits fraud in each of the last five years.

Answered by Andrew Western

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has prosecuted cases of benefit fraud since 2012. DWP will refer cases where there is evidence that a claimant has deliberately claimed benefits they are not entitled to or provided false information. The decision to prosecute is decided by the CPS.

The DWP publishes yearly reports which includes data on the outcomes from our Counter Fraud teams, these can be found at: DWP annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK.

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