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Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 in Scotland

2025 c. 28 · Enacted 2 December 2025 · Extends to England, Wales and Scotland

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 26 October 2026.

An Act to make provision about the prevention of fraud against public authorities and the making of erroneous payments by public authorities; about the recovery of money paid by public authorities as a result of fraud or error; and for connected purposes.

[2nd December 2025]

Be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Contents

  1. Part 2: Social security etc
  2. Chapter 1: Powers to require information
  3. 76Information notices Not yet in force
  4. 77Consequential amendments to the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 Not yet in force
  5. 78Eligibility verification
  6. 79Eligibility verification: independent review
  7. Chapter 2: Powers of entry, search and seizure etc
  8. 80Entry, search and seizure in England and Wales Not yet in force
  9. 81Entry, search and seizure in Scotland Not yet in force
  10. 82Entry, search and seizure: Crown application Not yet in force
  11. 83Offence of delay, obstruction etc Not yet in force
  12. 84Disposal of property Not yet in force
  13. 85Amendments to the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 Not yet in force
  14. 86Incidents etc in England and Wales
  15. 87Incidents etc in Scotland Not yet in force
  16. Chapter 3: Further provision relevant to investigatory powers
  17. 88Devolved benefits Not yet in force
  18. 89DWP offence Not yet in force
  19. 90Disclosure of information etc: interaction with external constraints Not yet in force
  20. 91Giving notices etc Not yet in force
  21. 92Independent review
  22. Chapter 4: Overpayments: recovery and enforcement
  23. 93Enforcement of non-benefit payments
  24. 94Recovery and enforcement mechanisms
  25. 95Recovery from bank accounts etc
  26. 96Disqualification from driving
  27. 97Code of practice
  28. 98Rights of audience
  29. 99Recovery of costs
  30. 100Recovery: further provision
  31. Chapter 5: Offences, penalties etc
  32. 101Offences: non-benefit payments
  33. 102Penalty as alternative to prosecution: extension to non-benefit payments
  34. 103Amendments to the Social Security Fraud Act 2001: loss of benefits following penalty
  35. 104Powers of Scottish Ministers
  36. Part 3: General
  37. 105Application and limitation
  38. 106Power to make consequential provision
  39. 107Financial provision
  40. 108Extent
  41. 109Commencement
  42. 110Short title
  43. Schedule 3: Eligibility verification etc
  44. Part 1: Eligibility verification
  45. 1Paragraph 1
  46. Part 2: Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
  47. 2Paragraph 2
  48. Schedule 4: Social security fraud: search and seizure powers etc Not yet in force
  49. 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
  50. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  51. Schedule 5Recovery from bank accounts etc
  52. Schedule 6Disqualification from driving