National Fraud Initiative

Hastings Borough Council is required by law to protect the public funds it administers. We are allowed to share information provided to us with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

The Cabinet Office is responsible for carrying out 'Data Matching' exercises.

Data Matching compares digital records (usually personal information) held by one body against digital records held by the same or another body to see how far they match and can identify potentially fraudulent claims and payments. Where a match is found it may indicate that there is an inconsistency requiring further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

The Cabinet Office currently requires us to participate in a Data Matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Cabinet Office for matching for each exercise and these are set out in the Cabinet Office NFI guidance.

The use of data by the Cabinet Office in a Data Matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under its powers transferred to it in Part 2A of the Audit Commission Act 1998 and is subject to a Code of Practice. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998.

Visit www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk for further information about the Audit Commission's legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information.

For further information on data matching at Hastings Borough Council contact the NFI Co-ordinator, Tom Davies on tdavies@hastings.gov.uk or telephone 01424 451524.