Influencing the Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill

What is the Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill? 

The Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill is a proposed law, which would give the government new powers to tackle fraud, including benefits fraud. 

At the moment, the Bill is being reviewed in parliament. A bill goes through several stages where it is reviewed by MPs, and they must vote for it to proceed before it is decided if it will become law. During this process experts or interested groups can provide evidence and it is possible to make changes to the Bill. 

What needs to change? 

There are two key things that need to change to make sure the new law doesn’t put people off claiming the financial support they need and are entitled to. 

The narrative around the law needs to change.  

At the moment, the Bill’s focus on widespread fraud adds to a harmful narrative that a large proportion of people who claim benefits are doing so fraudulently. This isn’t true. In the financial year ending in 2024, just 2.8% of the government’s spend on overpayments was due to fraud.  

While it is important to tackle fraud, the narrative around the new law needs to reflect that most people claiming benefits are just trying to get the support they need. 

Fraud and error need to be separated.  

As it stands, as well as giving the government new powers to recover money claimed fraudulently, the law would give them new powers to recover overpayments, like being able to recover money straight from people’s bank accounts if they are suspected of fraud.  

We know people are already struggling to apply for benefits because of how complicated the process can be. Including overpayments alongside fraud could make people even more hesitant to claim what they are entitled to, because they are afraid of being seen and treated as a criminal. 

What is Turn2us doing? 

We’re working with you, other charities, and the government to make sure the new law encourages support for people who need to claim benefits, not suspicion. 

1. Working with other organisations, we’ve signed a letter to the Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, urging her to review how overpayments are recovered. We’re calling for the DWP to only ask people to pay back money received when they could reasonably have known it exceeded their entitlement. Having to pay back money can be distressing for individuals, so focusing instead on getting payments right the first time could make a huge difference. Read the letter.
2. We’re providing evidence and sending briefings to MPs, to make sure they understand what changes need to be made and why, so they can support us in parliament.
3. We’re challenging headlines that are reinforcing false narratives that add to stigma. See an example of how we’re doing this on social media. 

How can I get involved? 

We need your help to show the MPs reviewing the Bill what needs to change and why this is so important. 

If you have experienced any of the following and are happy to confidentially share with us, please email communications@turn2us.org. 

• I have found it difficult to apply for benefits or been worried about making mistakes. 
• I have been paid more than I should have been because of a mistake, either by me or the Department for Work and Pensions. 
• I have struggled to make ends meet because I had to pay back money given to me in error. 

Together, we can make sure the Fraud and Error Bill doesn’t cause stigma and suspicion for people who need support.