Overview

• The government’s internal fraud team conducted 25 investigations into benefits-related fraud by DWP employees and contractors between April 2024 and March 2025.
• Since 2020, more than £6 million meant for pensioners, disabled people and carers has been siphoned off by staff, with 2024–25 marking the highest annual loss to date.
• Ongoing criminal proceedings target dismissed employees accused of approving unfounded claims and abusing customer ID verification processes.
• Baroness Ros Altmann and the Taxpayers’ Alliance have urged the DWP to impose tougher sanctions and increase transparency to protect public funds.
• In January 2025, the government introduced the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill to enhance recovery of welfare fraud losses and reinforce DWP oversight.