Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Serious Fraud Office

Thursday 25 May 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Desmond Swayne inquired about the level of detail required to implement oversight recommendations for the Serious Fraud Office.
  • The Solicitor General confirmed ongoing efforts to review and modernize the Serious Fraud Office's operations.
  • Andrew Slaughter questioned the effectiveness of the fraud strategy given the lack of new funding and staff relative to fraud losses.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Justice & Courts
Context

The question follows recommendations made by Sir David Calvert-Smith and Brian Altman KC for reforms at the SFO.

Question

Whether she plans to reform the Serious Fraud Office. Just how much detail will the Solicitor General require to properly implement Sir David's recommendation on oversight? We need to keep a tight rein on the remaining tenure of the current director, do we not?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

The SFO has implemented wide-ranging reforms following recommendations. The strategic plan sets out a programme to modernise, build on capabilities and protect the UK's reputation as a safe place to do business. I am sure he will have seen the written ministerial statement that was laid before the House yesterday confirming ongoing review. Since April this year, case lists prepared for superintendents' meetings include all cases that may have required case consent with explicit signposting to high-risk cases.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about the level of oversight and control over the current director's tenure were not provided.

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Q2 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Justice & Courts
Context

The question follows recommendations made by Sir David Calvert-Smith and Brian Altman KC for reforms at the SFO.

Question

Just how much detail will the Solicitor General require to properly implement Sir David's recommendation on oversight? We need to keep a tight rein on the remaining tenure of the current director, do we not?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

As ever, I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his question. The update confirmed that the planned review is ongoing since April this year case lists prepared for superintendents' meetings include all cases that may have required case consent and there is more explicit signposting to high-risk cases.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about the level of oversight and control over the current director's tenure were not provided.

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Q3 Andrew Slaughter Lab Hammersmith and Chiswick
Policing & Resources Justice & Courts
Context

The question addresses the new national fraud squad's funding, staff numbers, and its impact on public sector fraud loss.

Question

Could we talk about the fraud strategy which is a bit of a fraud with £100 million announced last year for 400 officers, up to 300 already in post. With no new money and few new staff how will that make a dent in the £6.8 billion lost to consumer fraud and £21 billion public sector fraud?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman does not welcome the strategy which sits within the Home Office. We promised it would be delivered soon after Attorney General questions, I remember that exchange. The shadow Attorney General called for it and we delivered soon after those questions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: How the existing strategy can address significant losses from consumer and public sector fraud was not directly addressed.

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