UK Parliament’s House of Lords finished the report stage examination of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill, agreeing a package of amendments aimed at strengthening oversight and refining proposed investigative and recovery powers. Members also rejected one proposal after a tied vote on whether independent reviewers of investigative functions should be given access to government data. During the second day of report stage, peers voted to adopt changes covering greater ministerial and parliamentary oversight, bank eligibility verification powers with strengthened safeguards and independent reviews, and allowing Department for Work and Pensions investigators to use reasonable force. They also agreed government amendments, including changes intended to give flexibility to make the proposed Public Sector Fraud Authority more independent and to adjust the Department for Work and Pensions’ debt recovery powers. On the first day of report stage, the House approved an amendment allowing the government to investigate fraud cases without a prior invitation from a public authority, but voted down an amendment on fraud risk management duties for public authorities. A further opportunity to make final amendments was scheduled at third reading on Thursday 23 October.
UK Parliament 2025-10-22
UK Parliament’s House of Lords completes report stage and approves key amendments to the Public Authorities fraud and recovery bill
The UK House of Lords concluded the report stage of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill, agreeing on amendments to enhance oversight and refine investigative and recovery powers. Changes include increased ministerial and parliamentary oversight, strengthened bank eligibility verification, and adjustments to the Department for Work and Pensions' debt recovery powers. An amendment allowing government-initiated fraud investigations without prior invitation was approved, while a proposal on fraud risk management duties was rejected.