31st March 2010, Business Design Centre
"There are obviously many interests represented across the counter-fraud community. We are keen to expand dialogue and ideas with stakeholders in regard to the targeted key priorities listed in the NFS, so that we and our partners can endeavour to mitigate and fight the impact of fraud within England and Wales."
Dr Bernard Herdan, CEO, NFA
“Every pound lost to cheats is a pound that cannot be used for people in real need”
Derek Elliott, Head of Governance and Counter Fraud
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Dual-identity benefit fraudster jailed for 18 months
With the UK facing increasing financial pressures due to the economic climate there is a growing recognition of the damaging impact of fraud on the UK economy. The newly formed National Fraud Authority (2009) is committed to measuring and analysing the incidence and impact of fraud across the UK.
The Audit Commission’s recently produced report ‘Protecting the Public Purse – Local Authorities and Government Fighting Fraud’ identifies and considers the main areas of fraud risk and pressures facing councils as well as identifying good practice in fighting fraud.
Responding to the report Margaret Eaton, Chair of the Local Government Association said: ‘’Councils are dedicated to bearing down on cheats to keep council tax as low as possible for the vast majority of hard working taxpayers,‘’ ‘’we strongly support the commissions call for more research into fraud and will look carefully at the many positive ideas in the report.” ‘’In these tough times when councils are facing a perfect storm of revenues and growing demand for services, they will not turn a blind eye to crime.’’
The more money that is lost due to fraud and poor procurement practice, ultimately impacts on the effective delivery of services and can result in an increase in council tax payments for every one.