The Government's Fraud Review / Peters & Peters
On 15 March 2007 the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, launched the Government's response to the Fraud Review. The Fraud Review was originally published in July 2006. Its publication was followed by a three month period of public consultation, which attracted comments from both the public and private sector, including Peters & Peters. The Government's response launched on 15 March 2007, entitled "Fighting Fraud Together", takes on board the issues raised in the public consultation, and sets out the Government's comprehensive strategy to Combat Fraud. The contribution of Peters & Peters is recognised in the Government's response, which quotes directly from the commentary we submitted.
View the fraud review document from www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk
The Government response sets out a range of next steps in tackling fraud, including:
- Setting up a new fraud-busting body, a National Fraud Strategic Authority, to co-ordinate and lead fraud prevention work;
- Designing a National Fraud Reporting Centre to gather intelligence and measure fraud, and provide a one-stop shop for victims from across the public, private industry, and government departments;
- Supporting the extension of the remit of the City of London police to become the national lead police force on fraud (presently lead force for fraud in the South-East);
- Creating a Programme Board made up of key stakeholders in the fight against fraud to drive forward progress;
- Reviewing how fraud is dealt with in the courts, looking at the potential benefits of a financial courts jurisdiction with specialist judges so that all aspects of fraud proceedings can be dealt with in one place;
- Exploring a way of encouraging early guilty pleas through a safe legal framework which protects defendants' rights but also improves the experience of victims.