Fraud loss and errors for benefits by Social Security Scotland: FOI release

Information requested

You asked to know how much is estimated to have been lost in fraud and error for specific benefits administered by Social Security Scotland, with a breakdown by year.

Response

This information is not held. This is because estimates for the total value of fraud and error for benefits administered by Social Security Scotland are not yet available. Work is in progress to make this information available, and when available it will be published on an ongoing basis.

Estimates of the value of fraud and error for those benefits delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of Social Security Scotland are available in our Annual Report and Accounts, available here:

https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/reporting/publications/annual-report-2021-2022

We are aware that a vast minority of people may seek to abuse the Social Security system and we operate in line with the Scottish Government’s zero tolerance approach to fraud.

We actively consider ways to prevent fraud and have a dedicated team of specialists who are able to detect, investigate and, where appropriate, report instances of alleged fraud directly to the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service. This ensures we protect public money and invest it in services and support for those who need it.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.