A new 'Fraud, Error and Debt Bill' will be introduced in the UK Parliament later this year - it will give the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) several new powers in a bid to crackdown on benefit fraud
Sir Keir Starmer is gearing up to intensify efforts against 'fraud and error' in the social security system, which currently costs the taxpayer an eye-watering £10 billion annually. The new 'Fraud, Error and Debt Bill' was announced as the Prime Minister made his first party conference address since July's general election.
The proposed legislation aims not only to address overpayments but also to enhance the Department for Work and Pensions 's capabilities significantly. This includes granting the DWP additional investigative powers, such as 'new powers of search and seizure', to better probe suspected fraud cases. "The nature of fraud has also become more sophisticated, meaning without new legal powers, DWP cannot properly keep pace with the changing nature of fraud to tackle it robustly enough." While full details will be disclosed once the Bill is presented, estimates suggest it may claw back '£1.6 billion over the next five years' that's lost to fraud within the social security framework.
She said: "Our members working in the DWP and in jobcentres want more powers to support people into work – to help people, not trip them up. The UK has some of the lowest levels of benefits in Europe.
Disability Benefits Keir Starmer
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