This authority is required by law to protect the public funds it administers. It may share information provided to it with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, or where undertaking a public function, in order to prevent and detect fraud. 

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for carrying out data matching exercises. 

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found, it indicates that there is an inconsistency which requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

We participate in the Department of Work and Pension's National Fraud Initiative: a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Minister for the Department of Work and Pensions for matching for each exercise, as detailed on the Gov.uk National Fraud Initiative page.

The use of data by the Department of Work and Pensions in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under Part 6 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 2018. 

Data matching by the Department of Work and Pensions is subject to a Code of Practice.

You can find further information on the Department of Work and Pension's legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information.

Contact information

Ian Davy
Tel: 01926 456818
Email: ian.davy@warwickdc.gov.uk