Fraud and Economic Crime

Phil Brickell, the Labour MP for Bolton West, asked the Minister for Security, Dan Jarvis, what steps the Department is taking to tackle fraud and economic crime. Brickell noted that fraud accounts for 39% of all crime in England and Wales, and that many of these offences are carried out by serious organised crime gangs. He expressed concern that the National Crime Agency (NCA), which is tasked with protecting his constituents from foreign origin fraud and serious organised crime, is struggling, with a recent report finding that it was "on its knees" after 14 years of Conservative government. In response, Jarvis paid tribute to the NCA's operational leadership and focus on tackling economic crime. He explained that the Government is working to address retention challenges for fraud investigators, and that the national fraud squad, run by the NCA's national economic crime centre, and the City of London police, with 400 new officers by next year, have boosted the ability to tackle the highest-harm international offenders. Mark Pritchard, the Conservative MP for The Wrekin, then intervened, noting that online harm goes beyond fraud and can impact people's lives through suicide sites and unregulated content. He questioned why it is left to parents in the UK to take their own litigation against big tech companies, and asked if it is not time the Government did more. Jarvis acknowledged that online harm is a key priority for the Department, as 70% of fraud has an international element, particularly online. He stated that the Government is working closely with other Departments, including the Treasury and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, to address this issue.