DWP Launches New Universal Credit Fraud Campaign Targeting Key Loss Areas
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed it will launch a significant new campaign this week aimed at tackling Universal Credit fraud across Great Britain. DWP Minister Andrew Western has revealed that the initiative will specifically target three primary areas where the department experiences the greatest financial losses.
Focus on Three Key Areas
In a written parliamentary response to Labour MP Callum Anderson, Minister Western detailed that the campaign will concentrate on what the department identifies as the three greatest loss areas: living arrangements (specifically when claimants begin living together), self-employment circumstances, and capital and savings declarations. The minister confirmed the campaign would commence at the end of January 2026, running across multiple communication channels including on-demand video, out-of-home advertising, digital display, paid search, and paid social media.
"The campaign's communications objectives are to increase awareness of the consequences of not reporting changes of circumstances to DWP and to increase understanding of the types of changes of circumstances that need to be reported amongst Universal Credit customers," Mr Western stated in his parliamentary reply.
Addressing a Multi-Billion Pound Problem
The new campaign comes against the backdrop of substantial financial losses within the benefits system. According to the DWP's recently released annual 'Fraud and error in the benefit system' report for the 2024/25 financial year, approximately £9.5 billion was overpaid to claimants, representing 3.3 percent of total benefits expenditure. While this marks a slight decrease from the £9.7 billion (3.6%) recorded in 2023/24, it remains a significant concern for the department.
The DWP distributes welfare benefits to approximately 23.7 million people across Great Britain, with over 8 million individuals currently receiving Universal Credit. The department emphasizes that accurate reporting of circumstances is essential for determining correct benefit amounts, noting that "sometimes people tell us the wrong information or do not tell us when their circumstances change."
Understanding Reporting Requirements
Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit typically paid monthly, and many of the 8.4 million recipients may be unaware of specific changes in circumstances that must be reported to the DWP. Failure to report changes can affect entitlement or payments and may result in penalty fines or court appearances in some instances.
The DWP guidance on GOV.UK outlines nearly twenty changes that require reporting, including:
- Finding or finishing a job
- Having a child or moving in with a partner
- Starting to care for a child or disabled person
- Changing contact details (mobile number, email address)
- Moving to a new address or changing bank details
- Changes to rent amounts, health conditions, or earnings
- Alterations to savings, investments, or available capital
- Changes to immigration status for non-British citizens
The department warns that "changes in your circumstances can affect how much you're paid for your whole assessment period - not just from the date you report them." Claimants are advised to report changes as soon as they happen, as delays may result in overpayments that must be repaid.
How to Report Changes
DWP advises that claimants can report changes of circumstances by signing into their online Universal Credit account. For those who get a job or increase their working hours, the department recommends using a benefits calculator or speaking with a work coach to understand how earnings changes might affect their claim.
Most employers will report earnings automatically, meaning claimants typically only need to report monthly earnings if they are self-employed. The department emphasizes that individuals may have to repay money if they did not report changes promptly, provided incorrect information, or were overpaid by mistake.
This new campaign represents the latest effort by the DWP to address benefit fraud while ensuring claimants understand their responsibilities regarding accurate reporting of circumstances that affect their Universal Credit entitlement.
