UK government launches new anti-fraud measures to save £1.2 billion

The Department for Work and Pensions in the United Kingdom has introduced the Eligibility Verification Measure to identify individuals who may be ineligible for social security benefits.

This new measure allows the department to request that banks share data to help determine if claimants have undeclared savings or have spent too much time outside the country. The government aims to save £1.2 billion by the 2030/31 period by using these powers to detect fraud and reduce incorrect payments.

Under the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025, banks will check accounts against specific eligibility rules and flag cases that require further investigation. The department states that these powers do not grant them access to personal spending habits or transaction histories. These measures are part of a broader plan to save £14.6 billion over five years by addressing fraud, errors, and debt.

The government plans to announce further reforms during the upcoming Budget, including hiring 2,000 anti-fraud specialists for Jobcentres and increasing checks on Universal Credit claims made while abroad. The department will begin with a test-and-learn phase before rolling out the measures more widely.