Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Cabinet Office and DWP told us that timely data sharing can be used to prevent...
Conclusion
Cabinet Office and DWP told us that timely data sharing can be used to prevent fraud by data matching, improve detection of fraud by sharing intelligence, and enable recovery in cross-government schemes.55 The Digital Economy Act 2017 permits data-matching for the purposes of fraud and error.56 Cabinet Office told us that data analytics is a priority for the Counter Fraud Function which has worked with public bodies to deliver 38 data pilots with an impact of over £90 million to date.57 The Counter Fraud Function is also working to establish closer relationships with the Serious Fraud Office, City of London police, and the National Crime Agency. In addition, it told us that an explicit part of the Function’s strategy is to link up to the cyber and security sides of the Counter Fraud Profession to learn more about different avenues of fraud.58
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
6a: PAC recommendation: Cabinet Office should write to the Committee within six months detailing how it has worked with departments to identify and address gaps in real time data sharing. 6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: November 2021 6.2 The GCFF will continue to work with departments to increase the use of real time application checks to help prevent fraud where there is a good business case to do so. During the COVID-19 pandemic, additional real time data checks such as the Bank Account Validation, Active Company and Change of Director checks have been established and proved their worth. The government will continue to deliver these while exploring further expansion of real time services. 6.3 The government will write to the Committee by November 2021 highlighting the work that is being done across departments to improve the use of data and progress made and future actions on real time data sharing. 12