Fraud and Error in the Benefit System
The latest national statistics on Fraud and Error in the Benefit System: April 2008 to March 2009, produced by the Department for Work and Pensions were released on 4th November 2009 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.
The report estimates the levels of fraud and error in the benefit system in Great Britain.
The key points from the latest release are:
Estimates of fraud and error across all benefits in 2008/09
For 2008/09, it is estimated that 2.2 per cent, or £3.0bn, of total benefit expenditure was overpaid due to fraud and error.
The estimate for the percentage overpaid in 2008/09 is higher than the preliminary estimate for 2008/09 published in May 2009. The estimated percentage of benefit expenditure overpaid has increased from 2.0% to 2.2% and in value terms from £2.7bn to £3.0bn.
For 2008/09, it is estimated that 0.9 per cent, or £1.2bn, of total benefit expenditure was underpaid due to fraud and error.
The estimates for the percentage and value of benefit expenditure underpaid in 2008/09 have remained at the same level as the preliminary estimate for 2008/09 published in May 2009.
To access the latest release in full click here
Additional tables are available here
Additional information on the tables is available here
Coverage: Great Britain
Geographic Breakdown: Great Britain
Next Release Date: To be announced