Error and fraud in the tax credits system has been reduced to its lowest level since tax credits were introduced in 2003, virtually halving over the last three years
Official statistics released by HMRC estimate that tax credits error and fraud has dropped from £2.27bn in 2010-11 to £1.26bn in 2013-14.
Practical measures such as simplifying the tax credits system, better monitoring of changes in income through the real time information system, and improved detection of fraud have all contributed to this success.
The financial secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke said: ‘Tax credits play an important role in supporting working people – most of those who receive them are honest and rightly want to know that others cannot get away with incorrectly claiming them. Today’s figures are another step in the right direction.’
The statistics are available here