Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fraud and Economic Crime: Prosecution

Thursday 1 February 2024 · 7 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The SFO charged two company directors with fraud related to a car lease scheme involving 88 million.
  • Steps are being taken to address the miscarriage of justice for sub-postmasters wrongly prosecuted for fraud.
  • Discussions are ongoing to learn from countries that effectively prosecute fraud and to adopt best practices.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question is prompted by the need to address recent developments in prosecuting economic crimes.

Question

What recent steps has the Department taken to increase prosecution rates for fraud and economic crime. The Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office play a crucial role in bringing economic criminals to justice. I am concerned about recent steps to improve these outcomes.

Answer from Robert Courts

The Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office play a crucial role in bringing economic criminals to justice. Indeed, this month the SFO charged two company directors with fraud in relation to a car lease scheme into which hundreds of British savers paid about £88 million.

Answered
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Q2 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Justice & Courts
Context

The Horizon Post Office scandal has led to wrongful prosecutions, while significant amounts of money have been stolen during the pandemic through fraud.

Question

Hundreds of sub-postmasters were wrongly prosecuted and convicted for fraud. Meanwhile, estimates suggest that £16 billion was lost due to covid-19 fraud, yet little progress has been made in recovering this amount. Why did innocent individuals suffer while guilty parties avoided prosecution?

Answer from Robert Courts

The hon. Lady is absolutely right about the appalling miscarriage of justice; I agree entirely with everything she said about Horizon and the Post Office. As she knows, steps are being taken to address that and work is ongoing. On covid crime, the Attorney General and I meet regularly with the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service to press for action on whatever is the pressing issue of the day. The CPS has charged a number of individuals in relation to precisely the fraud activities she refers to.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific actions taken against those responsible for pandemic-related fraud were not detailed

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Q3 Tim Loughton Con
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The Home Affairs Committee is examining the issue of fraud, including romance scams and terrorism financing.

Question

The Home Affairs Committee has identified a major problem with various types of fraud. What discussions have been had on learning from nations that prosecute fraud more effectively?

Answer from Robert Courts

My hon. Friend raises an excellent point. I commend him for his work on the Home Affairs Committee and look forward to the results of that work, which we will consider carefully. The Attorney General and I meet regularly with the SFO and the CPS to assess best practice and to see where lessons may be learned, both internally and from abroad.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific examples of international best practices were not provided

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Q4 Andrew Slaughter Lab Hammersmith and Chiswick
Crime & Law Enforcement Economy
Context

Law enforcement agencies have confiscated £568 million from criminals, but only a small percentage is reinvested into their work.

Question

In the past five years, law enforcement agencies have confiscated £568 million. However, they keep less than 1% to support their operations against economic crime. Does the government plan to adopt Labour's invest-to-save model?

Answer from Robert Courts

I commend the work of the enforcement agencies, which have rightly cracked down on fraudulent activity. The Government tirelessly pursue criminals to recoup money and prevent them from benefiting from their gains. Among positive outcomes has been £105 million being returned to victims.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific plans for reinvesting seized assets into law enforcement were not outlined

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Q5 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Crime & Law Enforcement Economy
Context

Fraud has cost the public over £21 billion since the pandemic, yet prosecution rates have dropped by 50% since 2010.

Question

Since the pandemic, fraud has cost more than £21 billion. Prosecution for fraud and money laundering has decreased by 50%. Is it time to consider an economic crime fighting fund to reinvest seized assets?

Answer from Robert Courts

The hon. Lady is right that this is matter of huge public concern and understandably so. The Government worked very hard during the pandemic to ensure support was provided but clearly where people took advantage, it must be pursued. We are looking at the fraud strategy and economic crime plan part 2.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific actions beyond reviewing strategies were not committed to

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Q6 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
Crime & Law Enforcement Safeguarding & DBS
Context

Fraudsters exploit older and vulnerable people through various means such as online, phone or doorstep scams.

Question

Fraudsters prey on the elderly and vulnerable using different methods. Will the government ensure that these criminals face justice?

Answer from Robert Courts

Yes, I can. My hon. Friend is right to draw attention as people being taken advantage of happens to members of society but particularly elderly and vulnerable. Work continues on sector charters, which have been successful in bringing positive outcomes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific actions beyond existing initiatives were not committed to

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Q7 Karl Turner Ind Kingston upon Hull East
Business Compliance
Context

The former anti-fraud Minister resigned due to poor oversight of covid-related business loans.

Question

Two years since Lord Agnew resigned over inadequate oversight of fraud in covid-related business loan schemes, how much has been recovered and what is being done now?

Answer from Robert Courts

The hon. Gentleman is right to draw attention as public expect money advanced in good faith during the pandemic not be a victim of fraudulent activity. Intelligence sharing goes on between SFO and CPS, which has already charged individuals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific figures on recovered funds were not provided

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