Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Employment on 4 July 2023, Official Report, Col 734, how many extra staff have been hired to tackle fraud and error in the benefit system between (a) January–June 2020, (b) July–December 2020, (c) January–June 2021, (d) July–December 2021, (e) January–June 2022, (f) July–December 2022 and (g) January–June 2023.
Answer
Tackling fraud and error is a key priority for the DWP, and every member of staff has a role to play and undertakes mandatory annual fraud and error training. The department’s approach to tackling fraud was set out in the fraud plan [Fighting Fraud in the Welfare System - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)], which included the commitment to increase our counter fraud teams and create a new targeted case review capability.
The department’s annual report and accounts, published on 6 July 2023 [DWP annual report and accounts 2022 to 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)], shows how we are using our resource to tackle fraud and error.