The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the steps it will take to tackle fraud in the benefits system - more specifically for disability benefits. The DWP has recently confirmed its plans in a written response to Conservative MP Sir John Hayes, who asked the benefit department what steps it is taking to “tackle people fraudulently claiming PIP”, reports the Daily Record. In response, Andrew Western, DWP minister and Labour MP for Stretford and Urmston, said the department was "working closely" with counter fraud experts to recover debts "including those generated by Personal Independent Payments.".
In a written response, DWP Minister Andrew Western, explained new measures being introduced to “prevent fraud entering the system based on the types of cases and trends we have seen”. This includes “introducing more rigorous checks for customers changing personal details, including bank accounts”.
The DWP minister said the department had introduced measures to "prevent fraud entering the system" based on the types of cases and trends it had seen. This included. Western said the department was also investing in counter-fraud professionals and "building data analytical capabilities" in order to tackle it The new Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will bring forward new measures to tackle fraud in the system. He added: "Details on the measures the Government will be legislating will be presented to Parliament in due course.”.
There are currently around 3.6 million people who claim PIP in the UK, and according to figures from the DWP show that the overpayment rate for PIP is now at its “lowest recorded level” of 0.4% - or £90 million - in 2023-24. The data also revealed that fraud by PIP claimants fell from 0.2% in 2022-23 to 0.0% of total spending on PIP in 2023-23 which sat at about £21.6 billion. Fraud by Disability Living allowance (DLA) claimants was estimated at just 0.1%.
