UNITED KINGDOM
The Chief Executive of the United Kingdom’s Public Service, John Manzoni says he plans to create a “new profession” within the Service dedicated to countering fraud.
Mr Manzoni (pictured) said the profession would be launched on 9 October and tasked with tackling fraud costing up to £49 billion ($A86.7 billion).
“Fraud is a peculiar crime,” Mr Manzoni said.
“By its very nature, it is hidden and always evolving in response to changes in society, such as advances in technology.”
He said it was a constant threat to both individuals and organisations in all sectors.
“In the public sector, fraud damages the services we provide that people rely on, and it can quite often ruin lives.”
He said that in order to fight it “we’ve got to find it; and to find it, we’ve got to build the right counter fraud capability across the Civil Service.”
Mr Manzoni said that in 2016-17, Public Servants detected fraud worth £116.5 million ($A206 million), some £85.7 million ($A151.6 million) more than in 2014-15 after standardised measurements of fraud were agreed to across Government.
“This is great progress, but the size of the challenge is still big: Fraud in the public sector is estimated to be between £31 billion ($A54.8 billion) and £49 billion. These figures are a graphic reminder that investing in those leading the fight against fraud is not only right, but necessary.”
He said the new professional group had been built “by the experts, for the experts” across Government.
“Professional standards and guidance that will underpin the profession have been agreed, and seven Government organisations have had their learning programs assessed against them,” Mr Manzoni said.
“More than 100 organisations from multiple sectors that engage with the Government’s counter fraud professionals have started to share their learning programs and develop joint products.”
London, 16 August, 2018
