National Fraud Initiative

We are required by law to protect public funds. We are allowed to share the information we hold with other organisations who are  responsible for auditing or managing public funds or functions.  We carry out data matching exercises so that we can prevent and detect fraud.

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by different organisations to check that the information matches. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows us to identify and  investigate potentially fraudulent claims and payments.

We participate in the Cabinet Office's National Fraud Initiative: a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We must provide particular sets of data to the Minister for the Cabinet Office for matching, as detailed within National Fraud Initiative - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). 

The use of data by the Cabinet Office in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under Part 6 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 2018. 

Data matching by the Cabinet Office is subject to a Code of Data Matching Practice for the National Fraud Initiative - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). View further information on the National Fraud Initiative privacy notice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).