Auditors warn HMRC must document rules before expanding welfare fraud checks

Britain's spending watchdog flagged a risk on 24 June 2026: HMRC is using travel records to catch people claiming benefits they shouldn't while living abroad, saving an estimated £350 million. But before expanding this fraud-detection method to other benefits, auditors say HMRC must write down exactly how it works and what to do when mistakes happen. HMRC has a history of slow corrections, raising concerns about scaling without proper safeguards.