Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to increase funding and resource to the Counter Fraud Profession and counter-fraud function to fight fraud (1) against His Majesty's Government, and (2) in the wider public sector.

The government launched the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) in 2022, and a key principle was that it should be expert-led. The PSFA is developing the capability of public servants in dealing with fraud through the Government Counter Fraud Profession. The standards and guidance that the Function creates, led from the PSFA, must be used in central government, and can be used more widely in the public sector and beyond. Since its inception in 2018, GCFP membership has expanded to over 7000 members beyond central government, including policing and local government.

The government is proactively seeking to find and prevent more fraud in the system and has invested an extra £1bn in tackling fraud and error since Autumn 2021 across government. This included £24.7m funding over three years to support the creation of the PSFA, building on lessons learned in the management of fraud risk and loss in the pandemic.

The PSFA regularly engages with Cabinet Office and HMT Ministers and Parliament, via the Public Accounts Committee, on its work and progress against its published mandate. In addition, the PSFA further engages with, and reports to, the National Audit Office.

In order to maintain its commitment to transparency, the PSFA publishes annual plans and annual reports. Last year the PSFA updated Parliament through a Written Ministerial Statement and by depositing a copy of the 2022-2023 Annual Report in the Library of both Houses.