Tackling Economic Crime 2022-05-17

2022-05-17

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Kevin Hollinrake Con
Thirsk and Malton
Context
The MP is concerned about the effectiveness of current measures against economic crime, citing large fines imposed on banks for money laundering without deterring such activities.
What steps his Department is taking to tackle economic crime. I thank the Minister for that answer. NatWest and HSBC have been hit with big fines for facilitating money laundering, and Danske Bank will probably see a fine of £2 billion for £200 billion of money laundering. This is seen not as a deterrent, but as a cost of doing business for these big banks. Does he agree that the only way that we will tackle this is through criminal prosecutions both at a corporate level and of senior managers?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I think he is the House's foremost observer of banks' behaviour, but he also knows that this is an extremely complex area of law. The Government have asked the Law Commission to undertake an in-depth review of laws around corporate criminal liability for economic crime and to make recommendations.
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly state support or opposition to calls for prosecutions, nor confirmed inclusion in Bill
This Is An Extremely Complex Area Of Law
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Kevin Hollinrake Con
Thirsk and Malton
Context
The MP highlights constituents' complaints about the inefficiency and lack of support from Action Fraud, urging for reforms to improve constituent engagement.
One of the key complaints from any of my constituents who are victims of economic crime is about the inability to reach out to Action Fraud, and if they do, they get no response. I urge the Minister—plead with him, in fact—to reform the work of Action Fraud and perhaps even bring about a new body in any new legislation to ensure that constituents get some sort of answer and, importantly, some form of support from the authorities of the UK state.
This is a criticism that I hear. I am very happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss it further, examine the experience of his constituents and look at what we can do constructively to move things further in the right direction.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to reforms or establishing a new body but offered to meet to discuss the issue
This Is A Criticism That I Hear
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Chris Elmore Lab
Bridgend
Context
The MP inquires about banks closing pooled client accounts of reputable boat-broking businesses, affecting their trading activities.
Following clarity from my hon. Friend to UK Finance on how banks should interpret the money laundering regulations, a number of banks continue to close existing pooled client accounts of long-established, reputable boat-broking businesses. That is now stopping those businesses trading. What further assurance can he give to banks regarding these low-risk businesses?
I thank my hon. Friend for her question. As she will know from the letter that I sent her this morning and from our conversation with industry representatives together a few months ago, this is quite a challenging issue to resolve. I cannot direct the banks to open, and keep open, these accounts, but I will continue to engage with her and with UK Finance to see whether more progress can be made in the coming weeks.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide assurances or direction to banks, only committed to further engagement
This Is Quite A Challenging Issue To Resolve
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Q4 Partial Answer
Context
The MP raises concerns about the loss of £4.3 billion in taxpayers' money through fraudulent covid schemes, some of which is benefiting terrorists and organised crime groups.
The Government have lost £4.3 billion of taxpayers' money through fraudulent covid schemes. Now we learn that a large chunk of that money is going into the hands of terrorists, organised crime gangs and drug dealers. Will the Minister reassure me that he is taking the reports seriously and update the House on the total number of investigations the Government are undertaking that relate to covid fraud?
I can absolutely reassure the hon. Lady that the Government take the issue very seriously. That is why at previous fiscal events the Chancellor has invested £100 million in a taskforce to deal with it. When we designed a number of the interventions, protecting taxpayers was a real consideration.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific figures on investigations ongoing
That Is Why At Previous Fiscal Events
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Tulip Siddiq Lab
Hampstead and Highgate
Context
The MP welcomes the economic crime Bill and asks about discussions with BEIS on making Companies House an anti-money laundering supervisor to prevent fraudulent activities.
We on the SNP Benches welcome the economic crime and corporate transparency Bill, and given the scale of the problem that the Tories have presided over, it is long overdue. What discussions has the Minister had with colleagues in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy about making Companies House an anti-money-laundering supervisor in its own right finally to lock out the fraudsters, the kleptocrats and their dirty money from Companies House once and for all?
The hon. Lady is absolutely right to highlight Companies House reform as a major area that we are working on. The Government forwarded more than £60 million to start that work, which has now been accelerated.
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm specific discussions with BEIS about making Companies House an AML supervisor
Absolutely Right To Highlight
Response accuracy
Q6 Direct Answer
Context
The MP notes the Department's efforts against economic crime, including recent investments in tackling kleptocracy.
What steps his Department is taking to tackle economic crime. Money obtained through corruption or criminality is not welcome in the UK. The Government are taking concerted action to combat that threat by investing £400 million over this spending review period, with the kleptocracy cell in the National Crime Agency targeting sanctions evasion and corrupt Russian assets hidden in the UK.
The Government are taking concerted action to combat that threat by investing £400 million over this spending review period, with the kleptocracy cell in the National Crime Agency targeting sanctions evasion and corrupt Russian assets hidden in the UK. The Government have taken far-reaching steps to improve corporate transparency, including through recent and forthcoming primary legislation announced in the Queen's Speech last week.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy