The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to launch a new campaign at the end of January 2026 to combat Universal Credit fraud, with the initiative focusing on three key areas
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled a fresh scheme to tackle Universal Credit fraud, which is due to launch at the end of January 2026. DWP Minister Andrew Western announced that the drive will focus on three key areas of concern: living arrangements, savings, and self-employment.
Mr Western’s comments came in a written response to Labour MP Callum Anderson’s inquiry about ‘what assessment the DWP has made of the potential impact of public information campaigns on levels of benefit-related fraud’.
In his response, the Minister explained: “DWP will be launching a new campaign at the end of January 2026. This campaign will focus on the three greatest key loss areas for the Department – living together, self-employed, and capital and savings. It will run across a range of channels, including on demand video, out-of-home, digital display, paid search and paid social.”
Mr Western went on to say: “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.”
The DWP delivers welfare benefits to roughly 23.7 million individuals throughout the UK, encompassing more than 8 million recipients of Universal Credit, according to the Daily Record.
The most recent annual ‘Fraud and error in the benefit system’ report, which assesses the Department’s incorrect payments during the 2024/25 financial year through both excessive payments and shortfalls, reveals that claimants received overpayments totalling £9.5 billion, accounting for 3.3 per cent of overall benefits expenditure.
This represents a reduction from £9.7bn (3.6%) in 2023/24. The total rate of benefit shortfalls remained static at £1.2bn (0.4%).
To qualify for DWP benefits, including Universal Credit, people must meet particular eligibility criteria, with payment sums calculated according to their individual circumstances.
The DWP explained: “Sometimes people tell us the wrong information or do not tell us when their circumstances change. Reporting accurate information and providing evidence may change the amount of benefit people are eligible for and in some circumstances, they may be eligible for more money.
“However, we cannot calculate the correct amount unless people tell us accurately about their circumstances. This means that people are not eligible for increases in the amount of money they receive until we have the correct information.”
However, many recipients may not be aware that they need to report certain changes in their circumstances to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). If they fail to do so, it could impact their entitlement or payments, and in some cases, result in a penalty fine or even a court appearance.
There are nearly 20 changes that need to be reported, such as getting a new mobile number or email address, changing bank accounts, moving house, and alterations in rent. The DWP’s guidance on GOV.UK warns: “You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.”
Change of circumstances you need to report to DWP
According to the DWP’s guidance on GOV.UK, it’s crucial to report changes in circumstances to ensure you continue receiving the correct amount each month. It emphasises that changes should be reported “as soon as they happen” because any delay “may mean you receive too much money and will have to make a repayment”.
The DWP cautions: “Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for your whole assessment period – not just from the date you report them.”
Changes can include:
- Changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen
- Going outside Great Britain for any length of time, if you live there
- Your rent going up or down
- Starting to care for a disabled person
- Going outside Northern Ireland for any length of time, if you live there
- Changes to your earnings (only if you’re self-employed)
- Finishing a job
- Changing your mobile number
- Changing your bank details
- Moving to a new address
- Moving in with your partner
- Changing your email address
- Having a child
- Starting to care for a child
- Finding a job
- Changes to your health condition
- Becoming too ill to work or meet your work coach
- Your child stopping or restarting education or training, if they’re aged 16 to 19
- Changes to your savings, investments and how much money you have
The DWP advises claimants to report a change of circumstances by signing into their online Universal Credit account.
