Public sector fraud costs the UK billions annually, affecting the NHS, schools and other vital services. The council works collaboratively with the Public Sector Fraud Authority, wider Government and with external partners to find and prevent fraud.
Councillor Louise Miles, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: "The council has a policy of zero tolerance towards public sector fraud. It is far from a victimless crime, and its impacts ripple through our society, affecting every individual and the services we all rely on.
"It can lead to reduced funding for essential public services, a lack of public trust in Government institutions and even potential national security risks.
"As a council, we're working tirelessly to mitigate these impacts. Our comprehensive strategy includes enhancing and improving fraud prevention measures across all council departments because we know that every pound saved from fraud is a pound that can be invested in vital public services.
"On social media during International Fraud Awareness Week we will be sharing insights on the impact of public sector fraud, how we are building a fraud resistant public sector, and how people can report any instances of suspected fraud."
Key elements of the council’s preventative approach include implementing robust fraud controls across all council departments, conducting regular, comprehensive fraud risk assessments, fostering a 'fraud-aware' culture throughout the public sector, and providing specialised training to public sector employees.
As well as prosecuting offenders, the council has also actively been recovering properties from fraudulent tenants, withdrawing offers of accommodation or cancelling fraudulent applications, cancelling direct payment funding and recovering monies from those that were not entitled and removing single person discount from council tax for people living with undeclared non-dependants.
Anyone who suspects fraud is encouraged to report it to the relevant authority:
• Benefit Fraud, including Housing Benefit - Report benefit fraud
• Housing Tenancy Fraud - Housing fraud
• Fraud that includes direct payments, council tax and grant funding - Fraud and corruption.
