A systemic failure within the Department for Work and Pensions has left thousands of families out of pocket, with individual errors totalling as much as £20,000. The revelation, which emerged from internal audits and whistleblower testimony, has prompted urgent calls from MPs and campaigners for a comprehensive overhaul of the DWP's digital infrastructure.
According to documents obtained by this correspondent, the errors stem from a legacy IT system that miscalculates contributions from non-resident parents. In some cases, payments were either overpaid or underpaid for prolonged periods, leaving families with substantial debts or shortfalls. The DWP has confirmed that at least 28,000 cases are affected, with an average error of £1,500 per family. However, independent analysts suggest the true figure could be higher, as many cases remain unreviewed.
The breakdown in accuracy is attributed to the department's reliance on an outdated platform that fails to sync with real-time income data from HMRC. This disconnect has allowed incorrect income assessments to persist, sometimes for years. The department has admitted that manual interventions are often required to correct errors, but backlogs have led to delays of up to six months.
In response, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has announced a review of the entire child maintenance system, pledging to invest £300 million in a digital upgrade. The new system, expected to go live in 2026, will use real-time data and automated flagging to prevent such discrepancies. The government has also set aside a compensation fund for affected families, although the exact eligibility criteria remain unclear.
Campaign groups have welcomed the announcement but expressed scepticism about the timeline. "Families cannot wait three years for a fix," said a spokesperson for the Child Poverty Action Group. "They need immediate interim measures and clear compensation." The DWP has countered that a temporary solution involving weekly audits will be introduced from next month.
This is not the first time the DWP's IT systems have faced criticism. In 2019, a similar incident involving universal credit led to overpayments of £500 million. The latest scandal, however, strikes at a more vulnerable demographic: single parents and low-income households who rely on maintenance payments for basic necessities.
The broader implications touch on institutional integrity and the capacity of government to deliver social services efficiently. As Britain braces for a general election, the child maintenance debacle raises questions about the competence of public sector administration. The coming months will test whether the proposed reforms are sufficient to restore trust in a system that has, for years, failed those it is meant to protect.
