Counter Fraud Report 2023 to 2024

S43 of the Local Government Transparency Code 2014, requires local authorities to publish information about their counter fraud work.

The attached figures cover the period 1/4/2024 - 31/3/2025.

Number of occasions powers were used under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud (Power to Require Information) (England) Regulations 2014, or similar powers

  • Internal Audit: Not used
  • Revenues: Not used
  • Benefits: Not used
  • Housing: c.25

Total number (absolute and full time equivalent) of employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud

  • Internal Audit: One employee (approx. 0.1 FTE) may be involved in investigations that could relate to fraud and also reviews potential fraud cases from annual National Fraud Initiative (NFI) reports received (Since April 2022, our internal audit service has been provided by the Southern Internal Audit Partnership (SIAP) who would now conduct any specific fraud investigations, as and when required)
  • Benefits: Investigations staff were transferred to the DWP SFIS in December 2015.  No fraud officer since April 2019.
  • Housing: One Fraud Investigation & Enforcement Officer since June 2021 (0.75 FTE)
  • Legal Services: No prosecutions in 2024/25

Total number (absolute and full time equivalent) of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists

  • Internal Audit: None
  • Benefits: None
  • Housing: One (0.75 FTE)

Total spent by the authority on the investigation and prosecution of fraud

  • Internal Audit: c. £6k (based upon staff time)
  • Revenues: c. £10k (rolling review of single person discount entitlement)
  • Housing: c. £27k

Total number of fraud cases investigated

  • Internal Audit: General review of NFI reports only
  • Housing: 331 referrals received

(resulting in 19 properties recovered and returned to the council's housing stock, 12 mutual exchange applications refused, 6 succession applications refused and 8 right to buy applications refused)

It should be noted that more detailed information on the council's counter-fraud activities is presented to the Audit & Governance Committee in July, covering the previous financial year.  A copy of this report is provided on the Data Transparency web page.