Contributions
444 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Third sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Lewell-Buck. I look forward to constructive dialogue with the Committee throughout the day. As the Committee is well aware,…27 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fourth sitting)The first point to clarify is that before any investigation and any debt recovery are started, there would be a vulnerability test on that individual, and that would be part of…27 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fourth sitting)I thank the shadow Minister for those questions. As he said, these are important powers, and it is critical that the right training is in place. I reassure him that all these…27 Feb 2025HANSARDProcurement Act 2023: Supplier InvestigationsWe will never forget the 72 lives lost as a result of the Grenfell tragedy, and we are grateful to Sir Martin Moore-Bick and the Grenfell inquiry team for publishing the hugely…26 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q You mentioned that the PSFA powers are used generally, but they have not been available to tackle fraud in the public sector outside of tax and welfare. What is your assessment…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q The proposal is to have an independent chair that is completely independent of the PSFA and reports into Parliament. Do you think that answers that point? Dr Kassem: Yes.25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)It is really reassuring to hear that because oversight is incredibly important to us. I have one more question, but I am happy to give way to others.25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q Thanks for bringing your significant experience to this discussion. My question builds on Dr Rasha Kassem’s point about the importance of oversight. That is something that we…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q On the PSFA side, in order to recover debt, you would have to apply to a court. Does that answer that point or is there more to be done? Professor Button: Yes, I think that…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q In your experience of researching fraud, how does this Bill compare to international best practice? Should we be considering anything else that you have seen that particularly…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q Obviously, the provision in the Bill is to move the PSFA to be a statutory body, but as we were discussing earlier, built in for the current period is the oversight of an…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q You also talked about the importance of training. Part of the reason that we are starting off quite small is because the PSFA has broader powers than those under the DWP part of…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)So the other half—the prevention side—has to accompany this. Alex Rothwell: Absolutely.25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)I very much agree. Kristin Jones: Increasingly in society today knowing what the truth is, with the amount of data and false information out there, can be the problem.25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q You have talked a little about the kind of police pressures that exist. I would be interested in both of your assessments, given your experience, of the police’s capacity and…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q I am interested in the point you made about future-proofing against future pandemics or crises. Can you both give us your reflections on what you learned from the covid…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q What do you see as the biggest current threats in terms of fraud against the public sector and—if we have time—how does the Bill address them? Alex Rothwell: From my perspective…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q Is the partnership with the PSFA that already exists working well? Alex Rothwell: Yes, it is. As I mentioned, the professionalisation of fraud specialists has made huge inroads…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you both for your evidence. First, to Joshua, on the NAO’s reports on fraud, the PSFA measures hopefully build on many of those recommendations. I would welcome your…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q Yes, and I wholeheartedly agree with that. A massive role in prevention, professionalisation and raising the profile of fraud sits within that, but what is your analysis of how…25 Feb 2025