National fraud initiative

We are required by law to protect the public funds we administer. We may share information provided to us with other bodies responsible for auditing, administering public funds, or where undertaking a public function, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

We also participate in the Cabinet Office’s National Fraud Initiative: a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Cabinet Office for each data matching exercise.

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match. This is usually personal information.

Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it may indicate that there is an inconsistency which requires further investigation. No assumption can be made whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

The Cabinet Office has statutory authority to use the data in data matching exercises, 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. Data matching by the Cabinet Office is subject to a Code of Practice.

View the National Fraud Initiative privacy notice for further information on the Cabinet Office’s legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information.

View our Counter Fraud and Error Strategy Statement [PDF, 0.4MB].

For further information on data matching at this authority please visit our Privacy Notice.