Fighting Fraud Locally The Local Government Fraud Strategy Rachael Tiffen – Head of Public Sector Fraud National Fraud Authority The Damage Caused by Fraud The NFA Annual Fraud Indicator 2011 • Knowing the extent and reach of the problem is crucial in fight against fraud • The Annual Fraud Indicator is our blueprint. It enables us to gain a perspective and judge the scale of the problem and target our actions accordingly • Fraud costs the UK £38.4 billion a year • On average £760 per adult • Public Sector fraud is 55% of the total at £21.2 billion • Mainly tax and benefit fraud but also fraud in procurement, council tax and housing tenancy • Local Government Fraud is estimated at £2.1bn • AFI 2012.... National Fraud Authority Annual Fraud Indicator 2011 A cross-government approach Central Government Response: Fraud, Error and Debt Taskforce • Announced October 2010 • Chaired by Francis Maude MP. Membership from Govt departments and private sector • Zero tolerance approach to fraud across public services – building on NFA report and action plan • Pilots in key risk areas to demonstrate how fraud can be tackled across public services • Report published February 2012 3 Local Government response: Building on NFA work • Pre FFL :NFA existing programme of work and projects on • • • • • • • Housing tenancy fraud Council Tax Regional Partnerships Verification Insider Procurement Grants • Working with the LGA on framework contract on CRA data • NFA Pathfinders and pilots in above area • Scoping emerging risks • Better knowledge and focus • CIPFA checklists • Local Government Counter Fraud event 2011 • Strand of Fighting Fraud Together 4 The AFI Tackling the main risks £43 million £46 million £8 million Housing tenancy fraud £90 million Procurement fraud £152 million Payroll & recruitment fraud Council tax fraud £900 million Blue Badge Scheme abuse Grant fraud £855 million Pension fraud Tackling the main fraud risks Housing tenancy fraud • £900m lost p.a. • 50,000 homes occupied fraudulently • £18,000 p.a. to house a family • NFA/LA pathfinders using credit reference agency checks to verify circumstances • Potential for cashable savings for local authorities • NFA project: checklists, workshops, pathfinders, Guide and engagement stream Tackling the main fraud risks Council tax ‘discount’ fraud • £90m lost to fraud per annum • One third of tax payers claim Single Person Discount • Pilots in 3 LAs found 4-6% of discounts claimed are fraudulent • Now looking at other exemptions – such as for students And the other risks...... What does APP mean in practice and the associated tools? Acknowledge Prevent What does it mean in practice: • Needs to be cultural change • An increase in fraud awareness • Reporting What does it mean: • Prevention on application and verification of circumstances • Sharing knowledge of known fraud • Better use of data and technology to prevent and detect fraud What does it mean: Pursue • Local Authorities must have the capacity and capability to investigate and prosecute fraud • Need a consistent and more effective response for dealing with fraud cases • Each strand of APP links to tools or guidance ...... 9 The Tools so far Good Practice Bank – • Live on CIPFA website • To be populated by March 2012 The NFA checklist • Templates • A „Wheel of Fraud‟ risk tool • Free E-Learning tool • Free resilience checks The Compendium of Powers and Penalties • Links to good practice documents • Results of pathfinders and pilots The CIPFA/NFA online technical forum • Councils can discuss technical issues and we will monitor and respond where appropriate Access Go to the TIS homepage at http://www.tisonline.net/ Access to the Fraud Discussion Forum is via http://www.tisonline.net/discussionforum/default.asp?view=forum&forum=60 To access the Good Practice Bank, click on the link below and enter your CIPFA email address and password: http://www.ipf.com/cipfavalidation/login/login.asp?type=OTHER&dest=www.tiso nline.net/riskmanagement/default.asp?section=Fraud The Powers and Penalties document, “Wheel of Fraud” and other links are in “sources of information”. The FFL Strategy will replace this front page when published. This page is in development and NFA will be populating this page until March 2012, please forward any useful templates or documents to [email protected] Promoting Fighting Fraud Locally • We are working with LGA, SOLACE to promote • We are also working with firms and CIPFA • The NFA will conduct a number of regional workshops with Audit Commission and MBUS to explain and promote the strategy throughout March. • Work with other enforcement agencies Fighting Fraud Locally • First sector-led strategy developed under Fighting Fraud Together • Content arises from practitioners and „experts‟ in the sector • Needs to be „owned‟ and implemented by local government • Emphasises the three limbs of Acknowledge, Prevent and Pursue • NFA will provide tools to help local authorities address fraud risks • NFA strands of work continue : MBUS and the Audit Commission • Further tools/ guidance on Business Rates, Grants, Personal Budgets, Housing tool, Housing Forum and the Fraud and Corruption Manual [email protected] 0207 035 3417
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