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Fraud, error and debt management

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 landscape review (Feb 2016)
Fraud and Error Stocktake (Jul 2015)
Understanding fraud and error: a primer (PDF - 281KB) (Jul 2015)
Managing debt owed to central government (Feb 2014).

HM Revenue & Customs annual accounts 2019-20

The C&AG has reported on the 2019-20 accounts of HM Revenue & Customs.

Sector(s): Tax

Performance Improvement area(s): Fraud, error and debt management

Department(s): HM Revenue and Customs

Published:
5 Nov 2020

Implementing employment support schemes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

This report examines the implementation of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

Sector(s): Business and enterprise

Performance Improvement area(s): COVID-19, Financial management, Fraud, error and debt management, Operational and programme delivery

Department(s): HM Revenue and Customs, HM treasury

Published:
23 Oct 2020

Investigation into the Bounce Back Loan Scheme

This investigation describes the scheme’s purpose and how it functions, performance to date, and how government manages value-for-money risks.

Sector(s): Business and enterprise, Central Finance and Treasury

Performance Improvement area(s): COVID-19, Fraud, error and debt management, Operational and programme delivery

Department(s): Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, HM treasury

Published:
7 Oct 2020

Department for Work and Pensions annual report and accounts 2019-20

Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Department for Work and Pensions’ annual report and accounts 2019-20

Sector(s): Welfare, Pensions and Employment

Performance Improvement area(s): Fraud, error and debt management

Department(s): Department for Work and Pensions

Published:
30 Jun 2020

Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs annual accounts 2018-19

The Comptroller & Auditor General , Gareth Davies, has qualified his opinion on the regularity of HMRC’s 2018-19 Resource Accounts.

Sector(s): Tax

Performance Improvement area(s): Fraud, error and debt management

Department(s): HM Revenue and Customs

Published:
19 Jul 2019

Department for Work and Pensions annual report and accounts 2018-19

The Comptroller and Auditor General has reported on the 2018-19 accounts of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Sector(s): Welfare, Pensions and Employment

Performance Improvement area(s): Fraud, error and debt management

Department(s): Department for Work and Pensions

Published:
27 Jun 2019

Whole of Government Accounts 2017-18

The Whole of Government Accounts consolidates the public sector’s accounts to produce a picture of the UK’s public finances.

Sector(s): Central Finance and Treasury, Government, efficiency and transparency

Performance Improvement area(s): Financial management, Fraud, error and debt management

Department(s): HM treasury

Published:
24 May 2019

Tackling problem debt

This report aims to evaluate and conclude on HM Treasury’s overall approach to over-indebtedness.

Sector(s): Central Finance and Treasury, Regulation, consumers and competition

Performance Improvement area(s): Fraud, error and debt management, User choice and consumer protection

Department(s): Cabinet Office, HM treasury

Published:
6 Sep 2018

Investigation into errors in Employment and Support Allowance

This investigation covers a single, major cause of underpayment error in ESA. This error relates to people whose existing benefit claim was converted to ESA and who were entitled to income-related ESA but were only awarded contribution-based ESA.

Sector(s): Welfare, Pensions and Employment

Performance Improvement area(s): Fraud, error and debt management

Department(s): Department for Work and Pensions

Published:
21 Mar 2018

Online Fraud

Online fraud is now the most commonly experienced crime in England and Wales, but has been overlooked by government, law enforcement and industry.

Sector(s): Law and the justice system

Performance Improvement area(s): Fraud, error and debt management

Department(s): Home Office

Published:
30 Jun 2017