Public Sector

A MAN who fraudulently took driving theory tests has been jailed.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/jail-fraudster-took-other-peoples-050000983.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=tw&tsrc=twtr

A north Wales health board has been placed under investigation amid allegations that £122m of expenditure may not have been properly accounted for.

https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2022-12-23/probe-after-122m-allegedly-not-properly-accounted-for-at-health-board

There is an epidemic of fraud in England and Wales – it now accounts for 40% of all crimes. And that is just the tip of the iceberg: many instances are under reported and under investigated due to limitations in police resources. It’s hoped that a new public sector authority may provide the impetus to tackle this huge burden.

https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/criminal-law-blog/the-public-sector-fraud-authority-too-little-too-late

Responding to reporting in The Guardian, that just £18 million of up to £4 billion in PPE fraud has been recouped, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:

“We all know that the government had to act quickly to secure and supply PPE when the pandemic started, but taxpayers are paying a heavy price for questionable contracts.

“The impact of this wasted money is all the more acute for families under the cosh, as the tax burden soars to record highs and politicians fail to grip runaway spending.

“Ministers must get serious and protect taxpayers by tackling the billions lost on PPE fraud.”

A former prominent head who abused his position of trust has been jailed for more than two years for defrauding a Black Country school out of thousands of pounds.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/crime/2022/12/21/former-head-jailed-for-sophisticated-fraud-at-black-country-school/

Labour slammed the estimated £6.7billion during Rishi Sunak's time as Chancellor - just as a Tory minister complained there "simply isn't the money" for proper pay rises

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/cash-lost-covid-fraud-error-28594833?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

A fraudster has been able to keep his licence after being jailed for impersonating learner drivers for cash to help them obtain a full driving licence.

https://www.itv.com/news/central/2022-11-18/fraudster-jailed-after-taking-driving-tests-for-learners-and-keeps-his-licence

Autumn Statement brings £300m for recruitment drive – but departments will be told to find savings elsewhere

https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/autumn-statement-hmrc-dwp-fraud-6000-new-staff-tax-compliance-cash-boost#.Y3gW_Bl1JiQ.twitter

The National Audit Office says assurance delays in COVID-19 grants have led to only 0.4% of estimated fraudulent or erroneous payments being recovered.

https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2022/nov-2022/covid19-scheme-fraud-recoveries-hindered-by-assurance-delays

Powys County Council officers helped to prevent fraud and errors worth £1,257,912 during the last 12 months.

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/mid-wales/2022/11/14/more-than-1-million-saved-in-fraud-detection/