New Freedom of Information figures show a drop across several benefit‑fraud and error indicators in the 2025-26 financial year.
The figures show fewer allegations, investigations and interviews under caution.
Treasury recorded 362 allegations in 2025-26, down from 407 the previous year and 457 in 2023-24. Of these, 279 resulted in an investigation, compared with 344 in 2024-25. Interviews under caution also fell sharply, from 41 to 19.
The total value of benefit overpayments identified dropped to £316,511.03, down from £825,885.36 the previous year. Benefit savings, the notional amount representing payments prevented by investigations, rose to £592,891.52.
Treasury also updated its long‑running table of historic overpayment invoices.
For 2025-26, invoices totalled £552,374.71, with £433,472.23 still outstanding at year‑end and £64,453.10 written off.
Earlier years show higher write‑off totals, including £139,006.13 in 2023–24 and £138,497.54 in 2024-25.
Error related overpayments also fell, with 106 errors identified in 2025-26 valued at £64,453.10, representing 0.02% of total benefit expenditure.
