\n Date published:
\n 7 July 2025<\/p>\n
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed HM Treasury\u2019s agreement to consider a proposal to share back savings from tackling benefit fraud and error in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
Speaking after a meeting of the Communities Committee at the Northern Ireland Assembly, Minister Lyons said:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI’m happy to announce that we have received confirmation from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury that a proposal to share back savings from our work to tackle benefit fraud and error will be considered.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is money that normally goes back to the Treasury but we have the opportunity now to reclaim that to invest in public services in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe return on investment here is around 8:1 so this is a really significant development.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The agreement means that a Welfare Fraud and Error Business Case can now be submitted to the Treasury ahead of this year\u2019s Autumn Budget.<\/p>\n
If fraud and error savings forecast in the business case are certified by the Office for Budget Responsibility, HM Treasury will consider providing a share of the savings to the Northern Ireland Executive.<\/p>\n
Minister Lyons added:<\/p>\n
\n\u00a0\u201cThis is an important step forward and something I have been calling for over a prolonged period.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a bold and innovative initiative and I\u2019m pleased that I now have the support of the Treasury in taking this forward.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The agreement came after Minister Lyons wrote to Executive colleagues on the matter and the Finance Minister subsequently engaged with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.<\/p>\n
The Fresh Start Agreement of 2015 stated that Northern Ireland would be given the opportunity to bid for a share of fraud and error savings if those savings could be demonstrated and verified by the Office for Budget Responsibility.<\/p>\n
Notes to editors:<\/p>\n
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