Sir Peter Schofield, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has announced he will step down in July. The department has come under sustained scrutiny following an investigation into the handling of Carer’s Allowance overpayments, which concluded in November 2025.

Recent reporting highlighted leadership and administrative shortcomings that unfairly left thousands of unpaid carers facing substantial repayment demands — and in some cases fraud investigations — despite acting in good faith.

Government figures show that at least 144,000 unpaid carers are currently repaying more than £251 million in overpayments. Since 2019, the total amount of Carer’s Allowance wrongly paid out by the DWP is estimated to exceed £357 million.

Carers UK, drawing on official fraud and error data, described the situation as an unacceptable failure in departmental oversight and administration.

Impact on Unpaid Carers and the Wider System

The independent review identified systemic flaws in policy design, communication and case management. Thousands of unpaid carers were not alerted promptly when earnings thresholds were exceeded, resulting in accumulated overpayments and enforcement action.

From SESCA’s perspective, this is not simply an administrative issue. It is a structural failure that has undermined trust and placed additional pressure on families already sustaining significant caring responsibilities.

Unpaid carers are a cornerstone of the wider health and care system. When welfare systems intended to support them instead create distress and financial hardship, the consequences ripple across communities and increase strain on formal social care services and the NHS.

Erica Lockhart MBE, Chair of SESCA, said:

“Unpaid carers are an essential part of our care system. When processes intended to support carers instead cause distress and harm, the ripple effects are felt across families, communities, and already stretched social care and support services.”

She added:

“Any system that truly supports unpaid carers requires clearer communication and robust safeguards. This must be matched by a renewed commitment from government to uphold dignity, fairness, and the prevention of harm across all welfare systems.”

SESCA’s Position

SESCA calls for:

• Full and transparent implementation of the review’s recommendations

• Timely resolution of unjust overpayment cases

• Stronger safeguards to prevent similar failures in the future

This moment presents an opportunity for leadership and reform. Administrative systems must be designed around clarity, proportionality and prevention — not retrospective enforcement that penalises those acting in good faith.

At a time when the social care system depends heavily on the contribution of unpaid carers, restoring confidence and fairness in welfare administration is essential.

SESCA will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the Government sets out its next steps.