Gareth Davies, the head of the National Audit Office, has reported on the 2020-21 accounts of the Department for Work and Pensions. He has qualified his audit opinion because of the material level of fraud and error in benefit expenditure.
His report sets out:
- the reasons and context for his qualified audit opinion, including an overview of the Department’s estimates of fraud and error, the highest ever recorded;
- the key facts around the systemic underpayment of State Pension due to errors by the Department;
- the impact of COVID-19 on fraud and error and the Department’s strategy; and
- the consequences of fraud and error overpayments and underpayments for claimants and the Department.
The Annual Report and Accounts for the Department for Work and Pensions can be seen here:
DWP annual report and accounts 2020 to 2021 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)