The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will recruit more than 2,000 specialist fraud staff to work in Jobcentres across the country, under plans announced in the 2026 Budget.

The new specialists will focus on preventing fraud in Universal Credit claims, checking new claims and existing ones for signs of wrongdoing before money is paid out. The recruitment forms part of a wider package of welfare fraud and error measures set out in the Chancellor's Budget Red Book.

According to the Budget costings, the recruitment of the 2,000-plus specialists is expected to bring in £175 million by 2031-32. The measure takes effect from April 2027.

Chancellor John Healey said the wider fraud and error package is expected to save an additional £1.4 billion over the forecast period, taking total savings from tackling fraud and error to more than £20 billion.

The staffing announcement sits alongside new bank-checking powers that the DWP has already started using. The department has issued its first Eligibility Verification Notice, asking banks to flag accounts where data suggests a claimant may no longer meet benefit eligibility rules, for example because of undeclared savings or extended time spent overseas.

The government expects that bank-checking measure, known as the Eligibility Verification Measure, to save taxpayers £1.2 billion by 2030-31. The powers were introduced under the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 and will begin with a carefully managed test-and-learn phase under independent oversight.

Ministers stressed that the powers do not give the DWP access to people's bank accounts, transactions or spending habits. Banks are asked only to check relevant benefit-receiving accounts against certain eligibility rules and flag cases where further enquiries may be needed. A flag does not by itself indicate fraud, and no decision about entitlement can be made on that information alone.

Minister for Innovation, Fraud and Debt Lilian Greenwood said: "Benefit fraudsters should be looking over their shoulder. These new powers will help us crack down on those who deliberately abuse the system, while ensuring people receive the right support at the right time."

The DWP estimates that fraud and error linked to undeclared savings and time spent abroad cost the taxpayer £1.5 billion in 2025-26 in relation to Universal Credit and Pension Credit alone. The overall fraud and error rate in the benefits system was estimated at 3.2% in 2025-26.

The measures form part of the government's wider plan to save £14.6 billion over five years by tackling fraud, error and debt. The Budget package also includes tougher checks on Universal Credit claims from people who have travelled abroad, and more preventative checks in Pension Credit so claimants redeclare the correct amount of capital they hold.

The 2,000 specialist roles have not yet been advertised individually. DWP vacancies are advertised on the Civil Service Jobs portal, where the department lists its open roles, and jobseekers should check there for the fraud specialist posts as the April 2027 start date approaches.