Contributions
444 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fifth sitting)I welcome the support for the clause. To clarify, the operational costs of running PSFA operations and investigations will not be included in reasonable costs. There is work being…04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fifth sitting)Before I go into the detail of the clauses, I want to take a minute, as we are entering a new chapter, to make some opening remarks about the wider powers. Chapter 4 of part 1…04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fifth sitting)We have published an impact assessment. That says that with the current size of the enforcement unit, we expect there to be about eight cases, so a small number, but of course if…04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fifth sitting)Clause 17 introduces direct deduction orders as a method to recover public funds lost to fraud and error from a liable person’s bank account. Direct deduction orders are a vital…04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fifth sitting)That is right.04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fifth sitting)Clause 24 enables a bank to deduct administrative costs that it has reasonably incurred when complying with a direct deduction order from the liable person’s account. This…04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fifth sitting)It is important to set out again that these powers will be used in the last instance and, in many cases we hope they will be a deterrent. In the majority of cases, we expect…04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fifth sitting)Direct deduction orders will be an effective tool in recovering money owed to the public sector. However, it is important that we include measures in the Bill to make clear the…04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fifth sitting)I am grateful for the shadow Minister’s questions. This clause and his questions really highlight the balance between safeguarding vulnerability—ensuring that people are not left…04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fifth sitting)The clause sets out the action to be taken if the amount in the account is lower than the amount specified in the direct deduction order. Should that situation arise in relation…04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fourth sitting)Clause 7 and schedule 1 cover the investigative powers in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. Clause 8 will give the PSFA a legal route to apply to a court for an audit in…27 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Third sitting)First, it is important to set out that these powers will be used by authorised officers who sit within a professional standard. They are highly trained and have a code of ethics…27 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Third sitting)Clause 3 introduces a civil power that allows authorised officers to compel information from first and third parties, similar to that used by HMRC. Clause 4 introduces a right to…27 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Third sitting)The critical thing to note here is that we have been very clear in the Bill that 10 days is a minimum. As we heard in evidence, some organisations will find it very easy to…27 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Third sitting)Some points of clarity: the hon. Member for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire asked who would do the reviewing. A more senior officer from within the PSFA would complete that…27 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Third sitting)Yes, the code of practice will be much more operational guidance that will be targeted at the authorised officers and their day-to-day operational practice. It will include the…27 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Third sitting)I welcome those probing amendments, because they give me an opportunity to provide some clarity and reassurance on those important points. I will respond to them in a second, but…27 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fourth sitting)As I have set out, the Bill provides the key powers to investigate suspected fraud against the public sector. However, to be able to deliver a holistic counter-fraud service and…27 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fourth sitting)I am sorry to have arrived late. Clause 6 will provide essential powers to obtain communications data from telecommunications providers, as and when necessary, as part of an…27 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Third sitting)I thank both hon. Members for their constructive comments. This dialogue will be really important in scrutinising the Bill. I also welcome the support for action on fraud, and the…27 Feb 2025