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DWP request for insight from Stakeholders: Code of Practice consultation for the PAFER Act 2025

  • 4 days ago
  • 2 min read

Matthew Kenward, External Stakeholder Engagement Manager at DWP, highlights their consultation on the Code of Practice for the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) (PAFER) Act 2025. In particular they are seeking views on the codes of practice for Verifying Eligibility in the Welfare System; Recovering Debt and Obtaining Information. He also highlights information sessions being held in January if you would like further information.



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'The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) (PAFER) Act 2025 has recently been discussed and agreed in Parliament.

 

The PAFER Act 2025 included a statutory obligation for DWP to publicly consult on the Code of Practices for the Eligibility Verification Measure and Debt Recovery measures before the powers are used for the first time. In terms of the Code of Practice relating to the Information Gathering powers, the Secretary of State (DWP) similarly has a duty to consider representations on the draft Code of Practice under section 3 of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001.

 

We are now at the stage where we are consulting on the following code of practices:

 

  • Verifying Eligibility in the Welfare System: The Code of Practice for the Eligibility Verification Measure will explain when an Eligibility Verification Notice (EVN) may be issued and provide guidance on its content, scope, and the use of data obtained through an EVN. It will also set out the appeals and review processes available to financial institutions, the penalties for failing to comply with an EVN, and the safeguards in place to protect data subjects and their information.

 

  • Recovering Debt: The Code of Practice for Recovering Debt will explain how DWP will use the new recovery powers, who they apply to, and the safeguards to ensure they are used proportionately and fairly, including rights of representation and appeal where appropriate. It will also set out the responsibilities of financial institutions when applying a direct deduction order and what a court must consider for driving licence disqualification orders.

 

  • Obtaining Information: The Code of Practice for DWP’s updated Information Gathering Powers will govern how Authorised Officers will use the powers and provide guidance for information holders.

 

We are informing you that the consultation is now live, please see the link:

 

We are seeking views on the Codes of Practice for the above measures. The aim of this consultation is to gather feedback on the contents of the Code of Practice, rather than the policy itself. The Code of Practice is designed to ensure effective delivery of the measures and provide appropriate guidance to those using the powers and to help individuals to understand their responsibilities.

 

The consultation will be live for 12 weeks, closing on 27th February 2026.

 

If you would like more information on the PAFER Act and the Consultation, we are holding information sessions on 13th January at 2pm and 14th January at 11am via MS Teams, please let us know which session you would like to attend.'


 


 
 
 

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