Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fraud

Monday 15 January 2024 · 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

  • Government has reduced fraud levels by 13% year on year, both online and offline.
  • A new communication campaign will launch soon to educate people on identifying fraud.
  • Additional funding and resources have been allocated for a national fraud squad and local police forces.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nigel Mills Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP seeks to understand the government's efforts to reduce levels of fraud, which has been a persistent issue.

Question

What steps he is taking to help reduce levels of fraud. The question highlights the importance of reducing fraud and its impact on lives, asking for specific actions being taken by the Government.

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

This Government have managed to get fraud down by 13% year on year, online and offline. The agenda continues with cutting fraud completely by the end of the Parliament through an ambitious approach.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or actions not detailed beyond the percentage reduction.

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Q2 Nigel Mills Con
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP is concerned about individuals falling victim to fraud and seeks measures to educate the public on recognizing fraudulent activities.

Question

Would my right hon. Friend agree that the key to reducing levels of fraud is to help people understand what might be a fraud so they are not taken in by it? Is there more that we can do to help people spot the signs and avoid becoming victims?

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

We will launch a new comms campaign in a few weeks' time aimed at educating people on what constitutes fraud, ensuring they can claim help and support to avoid becoming victims.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about the campaign's content or timeline are not provided.

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Q3 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP raises concerns about the adequacy of resources and expertise to tackle fraud, citing a constituent's case where a decision on charging took five years.

Question

We do not have the necessary resources or expertise to tackle fraud. A constituent has waited five years for a charging decision after being a victim of fraud; their retirement was ruined waiting for police and CPS action. Does the Minister agree that lack of specialist resources causes unacceptable delays in justice?

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

This Government have introduced a new national fraud squad now almost fully recruited at 400, and increased funding to forces for fighting fraud. Some forces excel, like Avon and the City of London police leading nationally in fraud cases.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about specialist resources or their impact on delays are not addressed.

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