Serious Fraud Office

Attorney General – in the House of Commons at on 25 May 2023.

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Photo of Michael Tomlinson Michael Tomlinson The Solicitor-General

The SFO has implemented wide-ranging reforms following the recommendations made by Sir David Calvert-Smith and Brian Altman KC. The SFO’s strategic plan sets out a programme to modernise, build on capabilities and protect the UK’s reputation as a safe place to do business.

Photo of Desmond Swayne Desmond Swayne Conservative, New Forest West

Just how much detail will the Solicitor General require to properly implement Sir David’s recommendation on oversight? We need to keep a tight rein on the remaining tenure of the current director, do we not?

Photo of Michael Tomlinson Michael Tomlinson The Solicitor-General

As ever, I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his question. I am sure he will have seen the written ministerial statement that was laid before the House yesterday. The update confirmed that the planned review is ongoing. Additionally, since April this year, case lists prepared for superintendents’ meetings include all cases that may have required case consent and, importantly, there is more explicit signposting to high-risk cases.

Photo of Andrew Slaughter Andrew Slaughter Shadow Solicitor General

Could we talk about the fraud strategy, which, sadly, is itself a bit of a fraud? As revealed by Spotlight on Corruption, the new national fraud squad is patched together with £100 million already announced last year and 400 officers, up to 300 of whom are already in post. With no new money and precious few new staff, how on earth will that make a dent in the £6.8 billion a year lost to consumer fraud, let alone the £21 billion a year in public sector fraud that this Government let run rife?

Photo of Michael Tomlinson Michael Tomlinson The Solicitor-General

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman does not welcome the strategy. He was calling for it, and the shadow Attorney General, Emily Thornberry, was calling for it at the last Attorney General questions. We promised that it would be delivered soon—I remember that exchange—and, indeed, it was delivered soon after those questions. He will know that that strategy sits within the Home Office, which is absolutely right, and I will continue to work with the Home Office on the fraud strategy. I am sure he will be pleased, as my right hon. Friend Sir Desmond Swayne was, with the written ministerial statement yesterday specifically on the subject of this Question.