We are required by law to protect the public funds we administer. We may share information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.
The Audit Commission appoints the auditor to audit our accounts. The Commission is also responsible for carrying out data matching exercises.
Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it indicates that there is an inconsistency which requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.
The Audit Commission requires us to participate in data matching exercises to assist it in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide certain sets of information to the Audit Commission for matching in each exercise.
The use of personal information by the Audit Commission in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under its powers in Part 2A of the Audit Commission Act 1998 and accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998, and does not require the consent of the individuals concerned. Data matching by the Audit Commission is also subject to a Code of Practice.
Further information on the Audit Commission's legal powers, the Code of Data Matching Practice, and the reasons why it matches certain sets of information can be found on the Commission's website.
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This page last updated: 08/08/2008