Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fraud and Economic Crime

Monday 21 October 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

  • Fraud accounts for 39% of all reported crime in the UK.
  • The National Crime Agency's national economic crime centre is adding 400 new officers to tackle fraud.
  • The Department is working closely with other Government Departments to address online harm and international fraud.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Phil Brickell Lab Bolton West
Crime & Law Enforcement Economy
Context

Fraud accounts for 39% of all crime in England and Wales, with serious organised crime gangs committing many offences. The National Crime Agency is struggling to protect constituents from foreign origin fraud and serious organised crime.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to tackle fraud and economic crime? We know that 39% of all reported crime is fraud, and many of those offences are carried out by serious organised crime gangs. The National Crime Agency is tasked with protecting my constituents from foreign origin fraud and serious organised crime, but a recent report found the NCA was “on its knees”, spending millions on consultants and failing to retain investigators. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that the NCA is able to protect my constituents from financial crime?

Answer from Dan Jarvis

Fraud accounts for 39% of all crime, and it is a priority. We work with law enforcement and industry to protect the public from economic crime. The NCA's national economic crime centre has a national fraud squad working with City of London police, adding 400 new officers by next year. A workforce strategy addresses retention challenges for fraud investigators.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to strengthen the NCA's capacity against foreign origin fraud and serious organised crime were not detailed

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Q2 Phil Brickell Lab Bolton West
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The National Crime Agency is tasked with protecting constituents from foreign origin fraud and serious organised crime, but a report found the NCA was struggling to retain investigators after 14 years of Conservative government.

Question

What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that the NCA is able to protect my constituents from financial crime? A recent report found the NCA was “on its knees”, spending millions on consultants and failing to retain investigators. What specific measures are being taken?

Answer from Dan Jarvis

The NCA is operational and tackling economic crime, collaborating with jurisdictions at risk. The national fraud squad run by the NCA's national economic crime centre has 400 new officers to tackle high-harm international offenders. A workforce strategy addresses retention challenges for fraud investigators.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to strengthen the NCA's capacity against foreign origin fraud and serious organised crime were not detailed

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Q3 Mark Pritchard Con The Wrekin
Crime & Law Enforcement Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Online harm extends beyond fraud to include suicide sites and unregulated platforms. The European Commission is investigating Facebook and Instagram, while the US is introducing a kids online safety Act.

Question

Why is it left to parents in the UK to take litigation against big tech companies for online harm? The Minister knows that online harm goes beyond fraud to impact people's lives through suicide sites. Why are British parents left to fight these cases alone?

Answer from Dan Jarvis

This is a priority for the Department, given that 70% of fraud has an international element, particularly online. One in 18 adults were victims of fraud in the year ending March 2024. We are working closely with other Government Departments to address this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures for addressing online safety and protecting users from harmful content were not provided

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