Recommendation 17

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