According to the National Fraud Authority (NFA), public sector fraud costs the British taxpayer around £20.3 billion per year, equating to roughly three pence of every pound spent by the government. Fraudulent benefits claims, false grant applications, and overpayments to manufacturers all result in the loss of public funds, as well as vulnerable supply-chains and payment of false invoices. Procurement fraud costs the UK £2.4 billion a year, while grant fraud costs £515 million, according to the National Fraud Authority. Profit theft costs the Department of Work and Pensions more than £1 billion per annum.

Furthermore, research by Policy Exchange finds that fraud and error during the COVID-19 crisis will cost the UK Government in the region of £4.6 billion, with the necessity of speed taking precedence in the introduction of furlough schemes, support grants for the self-employed, and contracts for equipment such as ventilators meaning the usual checks and balances were streamlined.

As we emerge from the pandemic, this timely event will discuss the main issues confronting the public sector. Delegates can gain actionable insights on methods to improve investigative approaches and purposeful integration of technology into fraud detection environment. This conference will provide a concise overview of current challenges, with access to leading experts and cutting-edge case studies. Attendees will be kept up to date on the latest industry trends thanks to keynote addresses from senior government and industry officials.