Last night’s 2017 Government Counter Fraud Awards brought to the stage the very best of the public sector’s efforts to tackle the growing threat of fraud.
Projects and organisations from across the public sector were represented, demonstrating the importance and urgency needed to fight fraud in all its forms.
The event is a joint initiative by the Cabinet Office, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) Counter Fraud Centre and the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Congratulations to the winners of the Government Counter Fraud Awards:
- Excellence in fraud prevention: HMRC, The Alcohol Intelligence Coordination Centre
- Excellence in raising fraud awareness: HM Land Registry, Counter Fraud Group Awareness Raising Campaign
- Government counter fraud professional of the year: Nick Branigan, HM Revenue & Customs
- Government counter fraud team of the year: GIAA Counter Fraud and Investigation’s Counter Fraud Investigation Team
- Outstanding collaboration: The National Banking Protocol, a collaboration between Financial Fraud Action UK, National Trading Standard Scam Team, and the Metropolitan Police
- Outstanding proactive detection: Leeds City Council, Internal Audit Team
Rob Whiteman, Chief Executive of CIPFA said:
“Rarely does a week go by without news of organisations being hit by a cyber-attack or scammers being caught funnelling public sector funds away from services. Research from CIPFA’s Counter Fraud Centre has found public sector fraud costs the taxpayer an estimated £21bn a year and scams are growing in sophistication. It is imperative that we work collaboratively to ensure we apply greater sophistication to our efforts of combating fraud.
“All the entries in these Government Counter Fraud Awards exemplify the ingenuity and dedication of the teams who are working tirelessly to weed out public sector fraud in all its many forms.”
Chris Skidmore, Minister for the Constitution, said:
“Fraud is now the most prevalent crime in the UK, and there has never been a more appropriate time for us to focus on the fight against public sector fraud.
"It is the people taking up this fight who are most critical to its success. These awards recognise the talent and achievements of those working to combat fraud and protect public services while ensuring taxpayer’s money is spent correctly."
Ends
Notes to editors
About the awards
The Government Counter Fraud Awards (http://counterfraudawards.com/) were launched in 2016, as a collaboration between CIPFA, the NCA and Cabinet Office. The awards recognise the exceptional work being done by organisations and individuals to improve fraud and corruption defences across the public services.
The awards were judged by Rachael Tiffen, Head of the CIPFA Counter Fraud Centre; Charlie Adan, Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames; Mark Cheeseman, Deputy Director of Cross Government Fraud and Error Policy, Cabinet Office; Professor Alan Doig, Visiting Professor, Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University; Tracie Evans, Chief Operating Officer, Haringey Council; Dermid McCausland, Head of Anti-Fraud Unit, Department of Health; and Donald Toon, Director of Prosperity (Economic Crime and Cybercrime), National Crime Agency (NCA).
About CIPFA
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is one of the leading professional accountancy bodies in the UK and the only one which specialises in the public services. It is responsible for the education and training of professional accountants and for their regulation through the setting and monitoring of professional standards.
The CIPFA Counter Fraud Centre was launched in 2014 to lead and coordinate the fight against fraud and corruption across all public service organisations. It offers training and a range of products and services to help organisations detect, prevent and recover fraud losses.
CIPFA and Public Finance magazine have recently launched the Fraud edition of
PF Perspectives.