SNP accused of ‘turning blind eye to benefit fraud’

The Scottish Conservatives have accused the SNP of “turning a blind eye to benefit fraud”, as figures show a small proportion of claims are deemed fraudulent.

Statistics obtained by the Tories using freedom of information laws show Social Security Scotland (SSS) reported 29 fraudulent claims in two-and-a-half years.

The figures show SSS found two cases of benefit fraud in 2023-24, 12 in 2024-25 and 15 so far in 2025-26.

The Tories said that according to the UK Department for Work and Pensions, it is estimated around 2% of benefit payments are made fraudulently.

They say applying this figure in Scotland would suggest around 40,000 fraudulent payments could have been made since the start of 2023-24.

Tory social security spokesman Alexander Stewart said: “These pitiful figures tell us that the SNP are effectively turning a blind eye to benefit fraud.

“Hardworking Scots are facing ever-rising taxes to fund the nationalists’ ballooning and unsustainable welfare bill.

“It’s a further kick in the teeth to them to learn that some of it is going to claimants who are cheating the system.

“The SNP’s quango should be pulling out all the stops to clamp down on benefit fraud. Its failure to do so is a complete dereliction of duty.

“The money which ministers are allowing to be squandered could – and should – be spent on cutting people’s bills or improving the frontline services which are in crisis after 18 years of SNP mismanagement.”

Social Security Scotland has been approached for comment.