Legislation – Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025
Part 1
Functions exercisable on behalf of public authorities
1 Core functions of the Minister for the Cabinet Office
2 Interaction with other public authorities etc
Chapter 2 Investigatory powers
6 Amendment of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016
Powers of entry, search and seizure etc
7 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 etc powers
Recovery of recoverable amounts
10 Acting for another public authority
12 Restriction on availability of powers: claimed amounts
14 Restriction on availability of powers: penalties
Recovery as if payable under a court order
Recovery from bank accounts etc
18 Accounts which may be subject to a direct deduction order
19 Requirement for banks to provide information
21 Further requirements before making a direct deduction order
23 Content and effect of direct deduction orders
24 Bank’s administrative costs
26 Restrictions on accounts: banks
27 Restrictions on accounts: account holders
31 Further information notices
32 Suspension of direct deduction orders
33 Cessation on death of liable person
39 Deduction from earnings orders
40 Content and effect of deduction from earnings orders
41 Requirements before making a deduction from earnings order
43 The employer’s administrative costs
44 Suspension of deduction from earnings orders
45 Duty to notify the Minister of change of circumstances
52 Application to members etc of bodies
53 Amount of penalty relating to fraud
54 Penalty for failing to comply with requirements
55 Application to members etc of bodies
56 Amount of penalty for failing to comply with requirements
64 Penalties and criminal proceedings or convictions
66 Independent review: further provision
68 Guidance on exercise of investigatory functions
69 Reports on exercise of functions
70 Record of exercise of functions
71 Disclosure of information etc: interaction with external constraints
73 Public Sector Fraud Authority and transfer of functions
Part 2
Social security etc
Chapter 1 Powers to require information
77 Consequential amendments to the Social Security Fraud Act 2001
79 Eligibility verification: independent review
Chapter 2 Powers of entry, search and seizure etc
80 Entry, search and seizure in England and Wales
81 Entry, search and seizure in Scotland
82 Entry, search and seizure: Crown application
83 Offence of delay, obstruction etc
85 Amendments to the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001
86 Incidents etc in England and Wales
Chapter 3 Further provision relevant to investigatory powers
90 Disclosure of information etc: interaction with external constraints
Chapter 4 Overpayments: recovery and enforcement
93 Enforcement of non-benefit payments
94 Recovery and enforcement mechanisms
95 Recovery from bank accounts etc
96 Disqualification from driving
100 Recovery: further provision
Chapter 5 Offences, penalties etc
101 Offences: non-benefit payments
102 Penalty as alternative to prosecution: extension to non-benefit payments
103 Amendments to the Social Security Fraud Act 2001: loss of benefits following penalty
104 Powers of Scottish Ministers
Part 3
General
105 Application and limitation
106 Power to make consequential provision
SCHEDULES
Schedule 1 Fraud against public authorities: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 powers
Schedule 2 Public Sector Fraud Authority and transfer of functions
Schedule 3 Eligibility verification etc
Schedule 4 Social security fraud: search and seizure powers etc
Part 1Functions exercisable on behalf of public authorities
Chapter 3Rights to recover
Recovery of other amounts
14Restriction on availability of powers: penalties
The Minister may exercise the powers in Chapter 4 to recover an amount due in respect of a penalty only when—