The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed that over £600,000 in benefits meant for unemployed individuals, disabled people, and pensioners was stolen by its own employees and contractors during 2025-26. Although this figure is less than half of the amount lost the previous year, the ongoing internal fraud remains a serious concern.
Former pensions minister Ros Altmann expressed her dismay, stating, “It is shocking that this kind of theft is still happening. It diverts crucial taxpayer funds away from those who genuinely need support.”
The TaxPayers’ Alliance echoed this sentiment, condemning the theft as a betrayal of public trust. William Yarwood, the group’s campaigns director, criticized the fraud as undermining efforts to tackle welfare abuse. He urged ministers to recover the stolen money, dismiss those responsible, and implement stronger safeguards to prevent insider exploitation.
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Campaigner Shabaaz Mohammed from Manchester Disabled People Against Cuts described the scale of staff fraud as “shocking” and underscored the human cost. “This money could be going to vulnerable people who rely on these benefits. Yet the focus remains misdirected, targeting claimants instead of rooting out corruption within the department,” he said.
With a workforce of around 85,000 full-time-equivalent staff members, the DWP has pledged to treat fraud allegations with utmost seriousness. A departmental spokesperson affirmed: “Anyone found exploiting their position to illegally access taxpayers’ money will face the full force of the law.”