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HM Treasury/ National Audit Office Conference


Good Practice in Tackling External Fraud - 27 April 2004



QEII Conference Centre London

The Treasury/ National Audit Office Conference on Good Practice in Tackling External Fraud was held on 27 April 2004 at the QEII Conference Centre. The conference launched a good practice guide developed by HM Treasury and the National Audit Office. The conference and guide aimed to raise awareness of the risks to the public sector from external fraud and the actions that can be taken to tackle it.

The conference highlighted the lessons learned in tackling fraud identified in recent reports produced by the National Audit Office and the Committee of Public Accounts. The guide also draws on the results of this work, and other good practice publications from HM Treasury and elsewhere. It is designed to allow government departments and agencies to assess their approach to tackling fraud against a checklist of good practice. The guide includes a number of case studies to illustrate good practices that provide practical measures for reducing the risk of fraud.



Time Subject Speaker
9:00-9:30 Registration and coffee  
9:30-9:40 The purpose of the conference and the order of events Caroline Mawhood Assistant Auditor General, National Audit Office
9:40-10:00 Launch of Good Practice Guide on Tackling External Fraud Sir John Bourn, Comptroller and Auditor General
10:00-10:20 The lessons learned from the work carried out by the Committee of Public Accounts Edward Leigh MP, Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts
10.20-10:40 External Fraud – The Threat to the Public Sector Mike Eland, Chairman of HM Customs and Excise
10:40-11:10 Coffee  
11:10-12:40 Case Studies
Introduction to case studies		 Caroline Mawhood

 
  1. Understanding and managing the risks of fraud
  • Taking a strategic approach to tackling fraud
  • Estimating the value of fraud loss and having a clear understanding of the risks of fraud;
  • The benefits of setting targets to reduce fraud loss
  • Using appropriate measures to reduce the risk of fraud
  • The need for a coordinated response;
  • Monitoring progress

 

Tony Walker, Head of Tax Strategy Division, HM Customs and Excise


 

 
  1. How to deter potential fraudsters
  • Fraud proofing systems
  • Strengthening internal controls in response to threats;
  • Creating an anti-fraud culture
  • The use of publicity to change public attitudes and the lessons learned.

 

 John Alpass, Head of Fraud Strategy Unit, Department for Work and Pensions
12:40 – 13:40 Lunch  
13:40 – 15:00 Case Studies continued:
  1. Early and effective detection
  • Maximising the sources of information;
  • Ensuring secure information flows;
  • Optimising the quality of information;
  • Using technology to detect potential fraud;
  • Reacting quickly to potential fraud;
  • Working proactively to detect fraud where there are controls weaknesses;
  • Linking detection work as part of an integrated approach.

Professional and ethical investigation

  • Ensuring a high level of professional and technical skills;
  • Applying these skills within a clear ethical framework;
  • Supporting those undertaking the investigations;
  • Being clear about investigative outputs;
  • Linking investigation work as part of an integrated approach
 Jim Gee, Chief Executive, NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service




 

 

 

 

 

 
  1. Imposing effective sanctions:
  • The use of civil sanctions;
  • Prosecuting cases criminally;
  • Recovering monies
  • The effectiveness of sanctions
Keith Moore, Assistant Director, Technical Cross Cutting Policy, Inland Revenue
15:00 – 15:30 Tea  
15:30 – 16:15 The work of the Assets Recovery Agency Jane Earl, Director, Assets Recovery Agency
16:15 – 16:30 Concluding comments Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts
16:30 Close