Public Sector

12 August 2020: Audit Wales reports that fraud in the Welsh public sector could be costing up to £1bn a year.

https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2020/aug-2020/audit-wales-public-sector-fraud-needs-to-be-taken-seriously

And they are warning that the Covid-19 pandemic will increase the risk of offences because of the financial hardship it is causing.

His wife, a fellow lawyer and anti-corruption expert, also faces separate charges

A ransomware attack targeting the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's IT systems in February inflicted a financial loss of £10.14m to the Council, forcing it to seek additional budgetary support from the government.

There were 162 local fraud investigations across the borough in just under a year following tip-offs about alleged fraud concerning Local Authority administered benefits, DWP administered benefits, housing tenancy and council tax.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/benefit-fraudsters-tried-scam-almost-18710762?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

A suspected case of “phonics test malpractice” was picked up by the council whistleblowing process and passed to the Department for Education last year, an HR chief’s report says.

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2020/07/27/suspected-case-of-phonics-test-malpractice-picked-up-by-council-whistleblowing-process/

Fraud, bullying and sabotaged vehicles were found during an investigation of the council’s rubbish and recycling department Cityclean, councillors were told yesterday.

https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2020/07/22/cityclean-hit-by-fraud-bullying-sabotaged-vehicles-and-a-3m-overspend/

ESFA’s annual report says changes in apprenticeships funding have led to a rise in the number of allegations this year

ESFA had 19 active fraud investigations into academy trusts at the end of 2019-20, reveals report

Almost £2 billion of fraud and overpayments detected since National Fraud Initiative launched.