Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Work and Pensions
Monday 26th January 2026

(1 day, 8 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Andrew Western Portrait Andrew Western
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The hon. Gentleman raises a very serious issue. Payment accuracy and ensuring that only those who are eligible to claim benefits do so are incredibly important for confidence in the system. I have not seen the specifics of the case to which he refers, but where we become aware that such errors have been made, we seek to claim that money back. We have taken further powers through the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 to take action against the sorts of serious and organised criminals he refers to, and I am pleased to say that that Act received Royal Assent last month.

Jo White Portrait Jo White (Bassetlaw) (Lab)
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What discussions has the Minister had on removing universal credit from convicted killers who are currently serving a sentence in a psychiatric hospital?