November 2023
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This conference brought stakeholders and policymakers together to examine next steps for tackling fraud and financial crime in the UK.
With the Government’s aim to reduce fraud and cybercrime by 10% by 2025, it was a timely opportunity to assess the new Fraud Strategy published by the Home Office in May 2023.
It followed concern that recent legislation, including the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill, did not go far enough to address the threat posed by fraud to sectors and individuals.
Delegates examined key measures announced in the new strategy, including:
- establishment of the new National Fraud Squad
- prioritising fraud within police forces
- improving reporting systems and promoting information sharing between industry and authorities
- expanding the role of Economic Crime Victim Care Units
Attendees discussed how the proposals can be translated into effective intervention and the resources that will be needed for implementation.
Further sessions looked at the role of key sectors in countering fraud, including:
- cooperation between the public and private sectors, and UK and foreign governments, with strategic coordination of data and intelligence-sharing
- reporting and support services for victims, and improving the police and prosecution services’ response to fraud
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with Emma Merry, Head of Protect, Fraud Policy Unit, Home Office; Andrew Penhale, Chief Crown Prosecutor, Head of Regional and Wales SEOCID, Crown Prosecution Service; and Joshua Reddaway, Director, Counter Fraud and Corruption, National Audit Office.
Overall, sessions in the agenda included discussion on:
- addressing the prevalence of fraud: key issues and priorities for reducing incidence - policy priorities moving forward - defining key targets and measuring performance
- enforcement measures: preparing for and managing increased enforcement with establishment of the Public Sector Fraud Authority - collaborative structures, resources, recruitment and training
- investigation and prosecution: addressing the length of fraud and financial crime cases - resources and cost - effectiveness of criminal sanctions - rates of recidivism - staff recruitment and skills
- prevention: enabling effective disruption mechanisms - fully utilising data-sharing - strategic coordination, including public-private partnerships and global cooperation
- support for the public: improving victim support and economic crime care units - delivering counter-fraud education and improving public awareness - reforming reporting procedures
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from CPS; DBT; Defra; Department for the Economy, NI; Department of Finance, NI; DESNZ; DHSC; DWP; GIAA; GLD; HMRC; HM Treasury; Home Office; NAO; and the Welsh Government.
