Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Accepted
Government acknowledges the importance of robust enforcement against fraud and corruption.
Conclusion
Detecting and pursuing fraudsters and corrupt officials is important for the provision of justice, to provide intelligence on the types of fraud and corruption occurring and to act as a deterrent for others.54 Cabinet Office told us it is the intention of government to step up its enforcement activities, and in a very public and transparent way, to demonstrate to people the consequences of fraud. Under the new Procurement Bill, if passed by Parliament, government can bar people from taking part in public procurement if they have committed fraud. There is also scope to disqualify people as company directors. 46 C&AG’s Report, para 1.23 and 3.10 47 Qq 32, 34, 61 48 C&AG‘s Report, para 26 49 Q 62 50 Q 34 51 www.gov.uk/government/news/new-specialist-fraud-squad-to-help-departments-prevent-fraud-in-public- services 52 Qq 46, 70; C&AG’s Report, para 2.5 53 Qq 71, 82 54 C&AG’s Report, para 3.11 Tackling fraud and corruption against government 15 Cabinet Office explained that these examples, alongside the other sanctions available to government, are part of a plan to create an environment in which people are deterred from committing fraud and the public have confidence in the way government pursues fraudsters.55
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the importance of deterrence through transparency and communication, establishing a Cross Government Counter Fraud Communications Working Group to develop a common narrative and amplify successful counter-fraud activities by June 2024. The PSFA will also publicly report on its strategic plans and progress in its Annual Report to demonstrate the consequences for fraudsters.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: June 2024 Transparency and clear communications, highlighting the effectiveness of counter fraud measures and the government’s efforts in doing so, is a priority for the PSFA. The PSFA works closely with the Cabinet Office Communications teams to identify, generate, and share positive and deterrence-based news stories highlighting the impact of its work. It will also continue to hold itself accountable via public publications of its strategic plans and report on progress made to tackle fraud and corruption through its imminent Annual Report. A Cross Government Counter Fraud Communications Working Group has been established to enhance the coordination, collaboration, and consistency of communications regarding public sector counter fraud activities. It is led by the PSFA and includes key government departments and agencies with membership expertise in countering fraud, behavioural insights and communications. The Cross Government Counter Fraud Communications Working Group will develop and maintain a cross-government communications plan, that will provide a common narrative for the government's efforts in preventing and pursuing fraudsters. It will also amplify individual public body communications to further promote the success and impact of counter fraud activities and to create a deterrence effect.