Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

The Statutory Review of the Debt and Fraud Powers of the Digital Economy Act (2017)

06 February 2024 · Cabinet Office

Proposed by Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar

Standards & Ethics

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

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At a glance

Key points

  • The statutory review of the Debt and Fraud Powers under the Digital Economy Act (2017) is addressed in the statement.
  • The report of the review is being laid before Parliament, the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Parliament, and the Northern Ireland Assembly.
  • The minister has decided to retain the powers in their current form based on significant progress.

Issue summary

The statement addresses the statutory review of the Debt and Fraud Powers under the Digital Economy Act (2017) and the decision to retain these powers.

Action requested

The report of the review is being laid before Parliament, the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Parliament, and the Northern Ireland Assembly. The minister has decided to retain the powers in their current form based on significant progress made in reducing debt and combating fraud.

Key facts

  • Debt and Fraud Powers are reviewed three years after coming into force in 2018.
  • Data sharing using the DEA has saved at least £137 million since September 2018.
  • £132 million of the savings have been fully audited for fraud prevention.
  • £5 million in debt has been recovered through data sharing.
  • The powers have been used by 17 Government Departments and Executive Agencies, and 70 Local Authorities.
  • Over 100 data sharing pilots are registered on GOV.UK.
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