Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Unexplained Wealth Orders were issued each year under the Criminal Finances Act 2017; and in each case, (1) what was the value of the wealth, (2) what subsequent prosecutions took place, and (3) what were the outcomes of any such prosecutions.

Unexplained wealth orders (UWOs) and accompanying interim freezing orders have been used in four investigations to date. Two of those investigations have concluded, two are ongoing. On 8 April 2020 the High Court discharged UWOs sought in a single investigation, permission to appeal was refused. On 2 October 2020, the High Court approved a settlement for the recovery of property with a combined value of £9,802,828, subsequent to a UWO investigation. Prosecutions do not succeed UWO application, which are a civil process. Enforcement authorities with the powers to seek UWOs are operationally independent.