MPs call on spending watchdog to investigate DWP overpayments to carers

Select committee says scale of problem, carers' testimony and cost to taxpayer warrants second inquiry into benefits system

A cross-party group of MPs has called on the government's public spending watchdog to investigate the growing scandal that has plunged tens of thousands of unpaid carers into debt and left some with criminal convictions after unwittingly breaching benefit rules.

The Commons work and pensions select committee said it was concerned with how the government was clawing back huge sums from carers, and in some cases prosecuting them for fraud, five years after it promised to tackle carer's allowance overpayments.