Eduin Latimer @eduinlatimer.bsky.social · 24/06/2026The OBR have released a new insightful report overpayments on fraud and overpayments in the benefit system. A brief🧵 explaining the key points: 162
Eduin Latimer @eduinlatimer.bsky.social · 24/06/20261. Overpayments in the benefit system due to fraud and error rose during the pandemic and have since fallen back to pre-pandemic levels. In 2019 3.1% of benefit payments were overpayments due to fraud or error, by 2021 it had risen to 4.3% and by 2025 it was back down to 3.2%. 110
Eduin Latimer @eduinlatimer.bsky.social · 24/06/20262. The increase in fraud and error during the pandemic was almost entirely due to higher fraud and error rates for people on universal credit (UC) and was specifically focussed amongst the wave of new UC claimants who started their claim during the pandemic (see yellow bar in chart below) 120
