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UK Resumes Child Benefit Fraud Checks Despite Flawed Data

3/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

The UK plans to resume the controversial anti-fraud scheme that stripped thousands of parents of child benefit over flawed Home Office travel data.
HM Revenue and Customs suspended benefits for 23,800 families and later found 13,800 cases were incorrectly flagged.
HMRC says it will continue the crackdown and will verify PAYE records before suspending benefits.
Critics, including Conservative MP Andrew Snowden, urge caution until the ongoing investigation is complete.

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Story summary

The UK plans to resume the controversial anti-fraud scheme that stripped thousands of parents of child benefit over flawed Home Office travel data.
HM Revenue and Customs suspended benefits for 23,800 families and later found 13,800 cases were incorrectly flagged.
HMRC says it will continue the crackdown and will verify PAYE records before suspending benefits.
Critics, including Conservative MP Andrew Snowden, urge caution until the ongoing investigation is complete.