Reducing Public Sector Fraud 2022-10-27
2022-10-27
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP seeks to understand the steps being taken to address public sector fraud, a significant issue that affects government finances and public trust.
What steps his Department is taking to reduce public sector fraud. There is a lot of commonality between different types of public sector fraud and between public sector fraud and regular consumer fraud. Often, there are the same professional enablers, there can be the same criminal gangs, and of course, there are the same routes out for money laundering.
The Cabinet Office co-hosts the new Public Sector Fraud Authority with His Majesty's Treasury. It will work with public bodies to better understand and reduce the impact of fraud against the public sector. In its first year, it will deliver £180 million in outcomes and agree targets with other public bodies. Tackling fraud is clearly critical. The Government work closely with the private sector to share threats, tools and practices. As an example, the Public Sector Fraud Authority's national fraud initiative has developed pilots to use its data to help to find fraud in other sectors. The NFI assists utility companies and car hire and insurance sectors. Between April 2020 and March 2022, its work resulted in savings of £33 million.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for reassurance about synergy between departments was not explicitly addressed with a clear commitment.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP builds on his previous question to seek more detail and reassurance about the coordination between different government departments and law enforcement in tackling public sector fraud.
It was well worth waiting for; I warmly welcome the Paymaster General to his place. There is a lot of commonality between different types of public sector fraud and between public sector fraud and regular consumer fraud. Often, there are the same professional enablers, there can be the same criminal gangs, and of course, there are the same routes out for money laundering.
Tackling fraud is clearly critical. The Government work closely with the private sector to share threats, tools and practices. As an example, the Public Sector Fraud Authority's national fraud initiative has developed pilots to use its data to help to find fraud in other sectors. The NFI assists utility companies and car hire and insurance sectors. Between April 2020 and March 2022, its work resulted in savings of £33 million.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for reassurance about synergy between departments was not explicitly addressed with a clear commitment.
Response accuracy