ALT GOV.UK Fraud and error in the benefit system: Financial Year Ending (FYE) 2026 estimates Updated 19 May 2026 Appendix 1: FYE 2026 overpayment rates and monetary values by benefit Total Rate (%): 3.2 Total Value (£m): 9,900 Fraud Rate (%): 2.2 Fraud Value (£m): 6.800 Claimant Error Rate (%): 0.6 Claimant Value (£m) Error: 2,000 Official Error Rate (%): 0.4 Official Error Value (£m): 1,100 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fraud-and-error-in-the-benefit-system-financial-year-ending-fye-2026-estimates/fraud-and-error-in-the-benefit-system-financial-year-ending-fye-2026-estimates#universal-credit-overpayments-and-underpayments

ALT Fraud An overpayment has occurred where the claimant has provided inaccurate or incomplete information or failed to report a change in their circumstances. Additionally, the claimant could reasonably be expected to understand how this affects their entitlement and there is evidence of fraud or a suspicion of fraudulent intent. Claimant Error An overpayment has occurred where the claimant has provided inaccurate or incomplete information, or failed to report a change in their circumstances, but there is no evidence or suspicion of fraudulent intent on the claimant's part. Official Error The benefit has been paid incorrectly due to a failure to act, a delay or a mistaken assessment by DWP, a local authority or HMRC, to which no one outside of that department has materially contributed. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fraud-and-error-in-the-benefit-system-financial-year-ending-fye-2026-estimates/fraud-and-error-in-the-benefit-system-financial-year-ending-fye-2026-estimates#

ALT https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-and-pension-rates-2026-to-2027/proposed-benefit-and-pension-rates-2026-to-2027 GOV.UK Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 Updated 16 February 2026 UC Amounts - Standard allowance Singles Single under 25 Rates 2025/26: £316.98 Rates 2026/27: £338.58 Single 25 or over Rates 2025/26: £400.14 Rates 2026/27: £424.90 Couples Joint claimants both under 25 Rates 2025/26: £497.55 Rates 2026/27: £528.34 Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over Rates 2025/26: £628.10 Rates 2026/27: £666.97