Public Sector Fraud 2023-09-07
2023-09-07
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question follows a year of operation for the Public Sector Fraud Authority and recent government investments in fraud reduction.
What steps his Department is taking to help prevent public sector fraud. I am concerned about the effectiveness of our current measures given the significant recovery of £3 billion over two years but also the ongoing challenges in fraud prevention.
In its first year, the Public Sector Fraud Authority is expected to exceed its initial targets as part of a £3 billion recovery over two years. The Government has invested £1 billion in fraud and error reduction since 2022. We are recognised globally for our efforts against public sector fraud.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Whistleblowers uncover almost half of all public sector fraud, costing an estimated £40 billion annually. Current laws to protect whistleblowers are insufficient.
We know that whistleblowers are responsible for uncovering almost half of all fraud—fraud that costs the public sector an estimated £40 billion a year—yet our laws to protect and support them are not working. If we want to tackle public sector fraud, we need to encourage more people to come forward. Will my right hon. Friend agree to meet me to discuss how we can better support whistleblowers and tackle this vast expense to the public purse?
I am very happy to meet my hon. Friend, or one of my ministerial colleagues will. We do wish to support whistleblowers and respect the information shared by them. It is part of our system, though, and we use AI to track down fraud across the public sector.
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Assessment & feedback
The request for a specific meeting was acknowledged but not confirmed as a commitment.
Response accuracy