The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act, which became law on 3rd December, introduces new powers to improve the ability of the Department for Work and Pensions’ (“DWP”) to ‘tackle fraud and error in the social security system’. ( See also this link )
In its press release dated 30 April 2025 the DWP declares the intention to save an estimated £1.5 billion saving over five years using ‘new souped-up powers’. These include the possibility for the DWP to obtain data from financial institutions and perform enhanced checks on Universal Credit claimants.
FRAUD INTERVIEWS
If you are called into an interview with fraud investigators, NEVER go alone. It is essential you have someone there to support and advise you. There will almost certainly be two fraud investigators present, so you don’t want to be outnumbered! You have an absolute right to be accompanied, we have done this dozens of times, it is a normal procedure.
Ask the investigators names and write them down. The accompanying person should take pen and paper to make notes.
More information about how to approach fraud interviews can be found on our website.
RECRUITMENT OF ADDITIONAL FRAUD AND ERROR STAFF
In order to be able to use its new powers the DWP aims to recruit over 500 additional DWP fraud and error staff.
Recruitment for these new fraud surveillance roles, called CFCD (Counter Fraud Compliance and Debt), has been aimed at claimants and advertised in Leith jobcentre. 100 new fraud surveillance roles were advertised to be based in Leith jobcentre, with the job title “Fraud Officer – Scotland” (job advert March 2025).
A job advert on https://www.forcesfamiliesjobs.co.uk for the position of DWP Fraud Officer in Glasgow was instead aimed at family members of people serving in the Armed Forces. According to the job advert, successful applicants will have to “Conduct robust and challenging interviews”, “Demonstrate strong judgement” and “Deal appropriately with challenging and vulnerable individuals”.
They will be paid over £30,000 annually, and most of them were due to start in September – though we understand that recruitment is continuing.
DON’T GRASS ON YOUR OWN CLASS
In directly targeting existing claimants, jobcentres are using a divide and rule tactic meant to create hostility and distrust amongst claimants.
Do not buy into the government’s “anti fraud” propaganda campaign.
It is not claimants struggling to get by but politicians and the rich who are the real criminals – they have stolen the world and its resources from the majority of us.
