Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Cyber-Fraud in the UK

25 May 2021 · 6 other contributors · 7,516 words

Opened by Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend

Responding minister: Kit Malthouse

Crime & Law EnforcementNHS

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Chris Elmore raised concerns about cyber-fraud in the uk in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The scale and scope of cyber-fraud are growing exponentially, impacting individuals and businesses across the UK.
  • Brand cloning scams quadrupled during the pandemic, with reported losses increasing from 4 million to 9.4 million.
  • NHS scams have surged, preying on people's fears and concerns, lacking a standardised response mechanism.

Key requests to Government

The Government must take decisive action to address cyber-fraud at the root level, including publishing comprehensive guidance for private sector organisations on lawful information sharing with law enforcement, increasing resourcing for the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit, and developing skills and capabilities within the public sector. The Government should also clarify which Department leads on cybersecurity and internet safety.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Chris Elmore Lab Bridgend

The scale and scope of cyber-fraud are growing exponentially, impacting individuals and businesses across the country. The problem is not limited to specific constituencies but affects everyone equally. During the pandemic, brand cloning scams have quadrupled, with reported losses increasing from £4 million in July to £9.4 million by October. Additionally, there has been an explosion of NHS scams preying on people's fears and concerns. The lack of a standardised response mechanism hinders effective reporting and tracking of fraud incidents.

Other contributors (6)
  • Carla Lockhart DUP Upper Bann

    Cyber-fraud has resulted in significant losses for constituents, with £1.7 billion lost last year according to Action Fraud. The Online Safety Bill needs comprehensive provisions addressing online fraud and scams, and must include measures against sophisticated online advertising techniques.

  • Conor McGinn Lab Wirral South

    Fraud is an endemic crime, with nearly 4 million offences recorded last year. Online fraud has risen sharply due to increased online activities during the pandemic, with incidents of remote banking and online shopping scams increasing significantly. The police lack the tools needed to combat major fraud, according to a former national lead on fraud.

  • Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

    Jamie Stone shared a personal anecdote about his late mother receiving scam calls after her phone number was kept by the family. He highlighted the fear these scams can instill in communities and emphasized the need for clear guidance on how to report them.

  • Nickie Aiken Con Ealing Central and Acton

    Fraud and cyber-crime have increased dramatically, with over 6 million incidents reported in England and Wales. Digital technology facilitates the majority of fraud cases, necessitating robust digital defences to tackle the growing issue.

  • Patricia Gibson

    Patricia Gibson discussed the increasing sophistication of cyber-fraud, noting that UK businesses lost over £6.2 million to such scams during the previous year with a 31% increase during the pandemic peak. She also mentioned that more than £5 million was lost due to covid-related scams and highlighted the need for greater public education and resources.

  • Peter Dowd Lab Bootle

    Reminded hon. Members about changes to normal practice for the new hybrid arrangements, including timings of debates and expectations for physical and virtual participation. Advised members attending virtually to contact the Westminster Hall Clerks if they experience technical issues.

Government Response

Kit Malthouse

Acknowledged the importance of addressing cyber-fraud highlighted by Members. Stated that over a third of all crime was attributed to fraud in 2020. Discussed initiatives like increasing police capabilities, launching public safety messaging, and including user-generated fraud in the Online Safety Bill to protect victims and prevent such crimes.

▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy