Counter fraud

Information about our counter fraud work.

The Local government transparency code 2015 requires us to publish the following information about our counter fraud work:

number of occasions we use powers under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud (Power to Require Information) (England) Regulations 2014, or similar powers
total number (absolute and full time equivalent) of employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud
total number (absolute and full time equivalent) of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists
total amount spent by us on the investigation and prosecution of fraud, and
total number of fraud cases investigated

Fraud data

We have published the following information relating to the year 2024/25.

Information required for Transparency Act publication	Service data	Notes
Number of occasions UDC in 2024/25 used powers under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud 2014 or similar powers	0
Total number of employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud	2
Total number of full time equivalent employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud	1.6
Total number of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists	2
Total number full time equivalent of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists	1.6
Total amount spent on the investigation and prosecution of fraud	0
Total number of fraud cases investigated	0

We have published the following information relating to the year 2023/24.

Information required for Transparency Act publication	Service data	Notes
Number of occasions UDC in 2023/24 used powers under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud 2014 or similar powers	N/A
Total number of employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud	1
Total number of full time equivalent employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud	1
Total number of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists	1
Total number full time equivalent of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists	1
Total amount spent on the investigation and prosecution of fraud	0	No fraud referred to UDC from DWP
Total number of fraud cases investigated	0	Total is all Council Tax, NNDR, Housing & Tenancy and Corporate Fraud (HR/Payroll/Procurement/Finance/Election) cases opened in 2023/24, INCLUDING fraud cases identified through NFI Exercises but EXCLUDING general checking of potential fraud matches from the NFI Exercises

We have published the following information relating to the year 2022/23.

Information required for Transparency Act publication	Service data	Notes
Number of occasions UDC in 2022/23 used powers under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud 2014 or similar powers	N/A
Total number of employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud	2
Total number of full time equivalent employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud	1
Total number of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists	2
Total number full time equivalent of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists	1
Total amount spent on the investigation and prosecution of fraud	0	No fraud referred to UDC from the DWP
Total number of fraud cases investigated	0	Total is all Council Tax, NNDR, Housing & Tenancy and Corporate Fraud (HR/Payroll/Procurement/Finance/Election) cases opened in 2022/23, INCLUDING fraud cases identified through NFI Exercises but EXCLUDING general checking of potential fraud matches from the NFI Exercises

We have published the following information relating to the year 2021/22.

Information required for Transparency Act publication	Service data	Notes
Number of occasions UDC in 2021/22 used powers under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud 2014 or similar powers	N/A
Total number of employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud	2
Total number of full time equivalent employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud	1.6
Total number of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists	1	1 currently taking final exams
Total number full time equivalent of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists	1
Total amount spent on the investigation and prosecution of fraud	£1,466	Total amount spent is based on approximate officer hours x officer costs
Total number of fraud cases investigated	7	Total is all Council Tax, NNDR, Housing & Tenancy and Corporate Fraud (HR/Payroll/Procurement/Finance/Election) cases opened in 2021/22, INCLUDING fraud cases identified through NFI Exercises but EXCLUDING general checking of potential fraud matches from the NFI Exercises

NFI data matching exercises information	Service data	Notes
Total number of matches for checking (2021/22)	1004
Total number of matches checked (2021/22)	955
Total officer hours spent on NFI checks (2021/22)	200	EXCLUDING any time spent on fraud investigation included in D9 above
Total amount spent on NFI checks (2021/22)	£4,188	Total amount spent is based on approximate officer hours (C13) x officer costs

We have published the following information relating to the year 2020/21.

Information required for Transparency Act publication	Service data	Notes
Number of occasions the council has used powers under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud 2014 or similar powers	0
Total number of employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud	2
Total number of full time equivalent employees undertaking investigations and prosecutions of fraud	2
Total number of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists	2
Total number full time equivalent of professionally accredited counter fraud specialists	2
Total amount spent on the investigation and prosecution of fraud	£67,990	Total amount spent is based on approximate officer hours x officer costs
Total number of fraud cases investigated	4	Total does not include checking of potential fraud matches from NFI exercises