Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many custodial sentences have been passed for convictions for fraud in the last five years for which figures are available; what the average length of those sentences was in each such years; and what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to increase the maximum sentence for fraud.

The number of offenders sentenced to immediate custody for fraud offences, in England and Wales, from 2009 to 2013 (the latest data available), can be viewed in the attached table. Average custodial sentence lengths have increased from 12.2 months to 14.9 months over the last 5 years.

The maximum penalty for fraud is a 10 year custodial sentence. There are no immediate plans to increase the maximum sentences for fraud, but we keep all maximum sentences under review.

Under this Government, if convicted of fraud, you are more likely to go to prison and for longer.