The DWP manages a number of payments, including Universal Credit and PIP, which are claimed by millions of people. One of the primary responsibilities of providing this type of financial support is to ensure equity throughout the system. In this sense, the DWP acts regularly to ensure that everyone receives the amount to which they are entitled.

Benefits could even be halted while someone is under investigation, but the British will receive a letter advising them of this if this happens.

When investigating a person for benefit fraud, there is certain information the DWP can gather to support a case.

This includes:

• Photographs or videos
• Audio recordings
• Inspectors’ reports on surveillance activities
• Interviews with one or more people they know
• Evidence submitted by anyone who reported a person
• Copies of correspondence

Bank statements and other forms of financial data may also be gathered to verify transactions.

Details such as location records or photographs may or may not be useful evidence in this type of investigation.

If someone suspects someone of benefit fraud, they can report the matter to the Fraud and Errors Department of the Ministry of Work and Pensions.

However, they will not be able to inform the person of the outcome of the investigation.

The action may involve the withdrawal of a person’s benefits or their prosecution, but some investigations will result in the person’s not being guilty.