Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether any funds raised through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 have not been distributed in each of the last five years.

The Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) was introduced in 2006 to allow a proportion of the proceeds of crime recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), to be redistributed to agencies involved in the asset recovery process. Funds recovered under POCA that do not enter ARIS, represent either victim compensation or recovery costs associated with asset recovery.

The Government is also mindful of considerations which may apply under international law, including under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). When an asset return under UNCAC takes place these funds will not be distributed under ARIS.

Further details can be found in the annual asset recovery statistical bulletin published on GOV.UK: Asset recovery statistical bulletin: financial years ending 2019 to 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)