Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2025 to Question 86050 on Public Sector Fraud Authority: Local Government, what his planned timetable is for the data matching pilot.

The National Fraud Initiative (NFI), as part of the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA), works closely with local authorities to help them identify and prevent fraud.

The NFI is currently collaborating with local authorities to understand the fraud risks related to council tax second home premiums. This insight will inform options to detect and prevent fraud in this area, including the potential for a data matching pilot. This research will also be used to determine the fraud risk and the effectiveness of a data share.

If it is concluded that a data share would effectively target the risks, a planned timetable will be agreed to deliver the data matching pilot.