Anyone can currently report someone for benefit fraud, and this can even be done anonymously. While genuine concerns should always be investigated, the current system leaves the door wide open for malicious and false reports to be made simply to harass or intimidate people.

Knowingly making a false allegation of benefit fraud not only causes distress to individuals and their families, but also wastes DWP resources, staff time, and taxpayer money.

We call on the Government to make it a criminal offence to knowingly make a false report of benefit fraud. This would bring reporting in line with other forms of false reporting, act as a deterrent to malicious behaviour, and ensure that investigations are focused only on genuine cases.