Fraud and error in the benefit system: release strategy
Updated 14 May 2026
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2026
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Introduction
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) publishes Accredited Official Statistics about the levels of fraud and error in the DWP benefit system. They estimate the amount of money overpaid and underpaid to claimants and are an important metric that is included in the department’s annual report and accounts and audited by the National Audit Office. Management Information, data and analysis is regularly provided to officials within the department, allowing trends to be identified promptly and issues addressed, ensuring a continued focus on the issue of fraud and error.
This document explains how we plan to release these statistics in future.
Future reporting
For Financial Year Ending (FYE) 2027, we are measuring the following benefits for fraud and error:
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit (pension age, non-passported cases)
- Pension Credit
- State Pension
- Personal Independence Payment
We intend to publish our FYE 2027 estimates in May 2027.
For more information about the information within this document, please email us: enquiries.fema@dwp.gov.uk
The Accredited Official Statistics can be found in the collection of Fraud and Error in the Benefit System.
ISBN: 978-1-78659-921-6