Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Serious Fraud Office: Economic Crime

Thursday 6 February 2025 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Gregor Poynton raised concerns about the increase in fraud and economic crime in Scotland and its impact on constituents' lives.
  • The Minister highlighted the importance of the Serious Fraud Office collaborating with Scottish law enforcement to address cross-border fraud issues.
  • Jim Shannon questioned whether the Attorney General would target paramilitary groups funding their activities through economic crime, drawing a comparison to historical cases like Al Capone.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gregor Poynton Lab Livingston
Justice & Courts Scotland
Context

The MP references the concern of residents in his constituency about the increase in fraud and economic crime and its devastating effects on people’s lives.

Question

My hon. Friend will know that fraud does not stop at the border, and residents in my Livingston constituency are incredibly concerned by the increase in fraud and economic crime and the devastating effects they can have on people’s lives. What are the UK Government doing to tackle fraud in Scotland?

Answer from The Solicitor General

My hon. Friend is right that fraud does not acknowledge borders, particularly when it comes to the increasing harms associated with online fraud. That is why it is so important that the SFO works closely with the Scottish law enforcement authorities. In that respect, and in others, this Government are fully committed to strengthening the Union.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or funding for tackling fraud in Scotland were not provided.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Justice & Courts Northern Ireland
Context

The MP mentions that in Northern Ireland, economic crime is used by paramilitaries to fund their organizations and criminal groups. He references Al Capone being imprisoned not for his crimes but for tax evasion.

Question

We in Northern Ireland understand that economic crime is used by paramilitary groups to fund their organisations and criminal groups. In America, Al Capone was put in jail not for the crimes he committed, but for tax evasion and financial issues. Will the Attorney General target paramilitary groups for their efforts to raise money illegally?

Answer from The Solicitor General

The hon. Member makes an important point. This Government take economic crime incredibly seriously, including when it links to the serious type of activity to which he refers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or actions against paramilitary groups for their economic crimes were not detailed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)