Public Sector Fraud Authority: Annual Report 2022-23

Monday 13th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Jeremy Quin)]

The Minister of State, Baroness Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG, has today made the following statement:

Fraud against the public sector is a crime that impacts us all. Unfortunately the public sector is just as affected by this hidden crime as other sectors. It affects the quality and quantity of public services as every pound stolen by fraudsters is one pound less spent on vital public services, such as schools or hospitals or on reducing the burden of tax.

The Government are committed to tackling fraudsters head on. The Prime Minister in his previous position as Chancellor, announced in the March 2022 spring statement £24.7 million of funding over three years for the establishment and building of a new counter fraud authority: the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) was launched in August 2022.

In its first year, the PSFA set 21 objectives which are published in the 2022-23 ‘Building For Success’ document available at www.gov.uk'>www.gov.uk. The PSFA is today publishing its annual report which outlines the progress and performance of the PSFA in 2022-23. This includes meeting 20 of the published objectives and surpassing its savings target of £180 million in audited benefits, delivering savings of £311 million for the public in 2022-23. The PSFA has also partnered with Quantexa and Deloitte using cutting edge technology to fight fraud, as well as hosting the International Public Sector Fraud Forum, inviting our Five Eyes allies to the Imperial War Museum to share expertise in this vital area.

The annual report will be available on www.gov.uk and copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

[HCWS29]