To pay the right amount, to the right person, at the right time, government needs effective processes. Where these fail, fraud, error and outstanding debts to government all increase. In addition, new ways of delivering services bring new processes and controls, and create new risks and new opportunities. For example, more data sharing between government bodies can reduce fraud and error, but can also enhance the risk of cyber crime and accidental loss of confidential customer information.
Fraud and error affects many departments and almost all government bodies have debt owed to them, such as overdue tax liabilities and outstanding fines. Government could save £10 billion every year through better management of fraud, error and debt – especially by DWP and HMRC, which deal with the largest payments to and from the public.
Key NAO publications
Fraud against both businesses and individuals is a serious and growing problem in the UK. The Home Office (the Department) and the National Crime Agency (NCA) are responsible for delivering many of the government’s objectives on combatting fraud. The Home Office is also developing a new Fraud Action Plan. This study will assess the effectiveness … Read more
This report provides an update on the Bounce Back Loan Scheme.
The C&AG has reported on the 2020-21 accounts of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
This report considers how well HMRC has managed tax debt through the pandemic.
Report examining the underpayment of state pension, setting out how this happened and what DWP is doing to rectify this.
The C&AG has reported on the 2020-21 accounts of the Serious Fraud Office.
The C&AG of the NAO, Gareth Davies, has qualified his opinion on the regularity of DWP’s 2020-21 financial statements.
This guide uses the NAO’s insights to show what can be done to counter the risk of fraud and error.
The C&AG has reported on the 2019-20 accounts of HM Revenue & Customs.
This report examines the implementation of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
