Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fraud and Economic Crime

Thursday 9 May 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

  • Christine Jardine raised concerns about the increasing prevalence of online scams and phishing schemes targeting vulnerable individuals.
  • Christine Jardine suggested the establishment of an online crimes agency to address the rise in digital crimes.
  • Karl Turner questioned the Government about the transparency of contracts related to fraud prevention and asked for updates on pending prosecutions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

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

The prevalence of fraud in the UK, with one-third of all crimes being related to economic fraud. The question highlights online scams targeting vulnerable individuals.

Question

What steps she is taking to prosecute perpetrators of fraud and economic crime. Fraud accounts for a third of all crimes committed in this country, and increasingly we are seeing online scams. Vulnerable people often get caught up in phishing schemes.

Answer from Robert Courts

The hon. Member is absolutely right. This is a particularly pernicious crime. It often targets the vulnerable and, sadly, in an interconnected and digital world, it is likely to increase. We will look very closely at all such matters.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specifically setting up an online crimes agency

How: We Will Look Very Closely At All Such Matters

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Q2 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Crime & Law Enforcement Science & Technology
Context

The prevalence of online fraud, especially targeting vulnerable individuals through phishing schemes.

Question

Will the Government consider setting up an online crimes agency to clamp down specifically on online crimes, which will become more prevalent with the use of artificial intelligence?

Answer from Robert Courts

The hon. Member is absolutely right. This is a particularly pernicious crime. It often targets the vulnerable and, sadly, in an interconnected and digital world, it is likely to increase. We will look very closely at all such matters. A number of joint strategies are shared between agencies in any event, but I am certainly very happy to look at her suggestion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specifically setting up an online crimes agency

How: We Will Look Very Closely At All Such Matters

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Q3 Karl Turner Ind Kingston upon Hull East
Crime & Law Enforcement Taxation Benefits & Welfare
Context

There were 36 failed PPE contracts during the pandemic, costing over £1 billion. Only one company, PPE Medpro, has been named.

Question

If the Government are serious about tackling fraud, why are they refusing to disclose the details of the other companies? How exactly were those contracts awarded, and can the Solicitor General update the House on how many prosecutions are pending?

Answer from Robert Courts

His Majesty's Revenue and Customs remains committed to covid-19 scheme compliance, and will continue to prioritise the most serious cases of abuse. Specifically on prevention and recoveries, up to 30 September 2023, HMRC had prevented the payment, or recovered the overpayment, of over £1.6 billion-worth of grants, made up of £430 million that was prevented from being paid out and over £1.2 billion that was recovered from overpayments. By 30 September 2023, HMRC had opened 51 criminal investigations into suspected fraud within the schemes, and made a total of 80 arrests.

Partly answered

Not addressed: disclosure of failed PPE contract details and exact awarding process

How: His Majesty'S Revenue And Customs Remains Committed To Covid-19 Scheme Compliance

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