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Audit Commissions annual fraud and corruption survey gets underway

2 April 2012

The only national survey of fraud and corruption in the public sector begins its annual update today. Over 480 public bodies – including councils, police authorities and probation boards – will be taking part.

Covering the 2011/12 financial year, the annual survey issued on 2 April 2012 will collect important information about a wide range of fraud and corruption issues, including housing tenancy and procurement fraud.

Chairman of the Audit Commission, Michael O’Higgins, says:

‘The survey is the only one of its kind in the public sector. We achieved a nearly 100 per cent response rate last year. It found that local government detected over 121,000 cases of fraud and corruption, equating to an over £185 million saving for the public purse.’

The high response rate for this annual survey ensures it is the most authoritative and comprehensive basis for analysis and comparison. Survey results will inform the Audit Commission’s national report on local government fraud ‘Protecting the Public Purse 2012′, to be published later this year.

The survey helps to build a picture of the levels of identified fraud and corruption in local government across England, and is used to inform the national debate, and the development of national and local strategies to combat fraud and corruption. Public bodies report back on the value and number of detected frauds.

Notes to editors

  1. The submission of information for this survey is required under section 48 of the Audit Commission Act 1998
  2. Copies of the Audit Commission’s ‘Protecting the Public Purse’ reports can be found on the Audit Commission website.
  3. The Audit Commission is a public corporation set up in 1983 to protect the public purse. The Commission appoints auditors to councils, NHS bodies (excluding NHS Foundation trusts), police authorities and other local public services in England, and oversees their work. We also help public bodies manage the financial challenges they face by providing authoritative, unbiased, evidence-based analysis and advice.

For further information please contact our press office.