Collection

Fraud, Error and Debt

The Fraud, Error, and Debt directorate in the Cabinet Office holds the centres of the Government Counter Fraud and Debt Functions. This page details the services and standards it is responsible for and how it builds professional skills in the Civil Service.

This collection was withdrawn on 5 August 2022

The FEDG/FED no longer exist.

The Grants function moved across to the Government commercial function on 01/04/22

The Fraud function became the PSFA on 03/08/22

The debt function now sits alone.

• From: Civil Service and Cabinet Office
• Published: 19 February 2016
• Last updated: 8 April 2021 — See all updates

The new Public Sector Fraud Authority will launch later in 2022, building on the work of the Government Counter Fraud function centre.

The Fraud, Error and Debt (FED) Directorate in the Cabinet Office comprises the government central function teams of experts in counter fraud and debt who set the strategy across the public sector to improve practices and secure better value for money.

Estimates show that the government could be losing a minimum of £33 billion per year to fraud and error. Debt owed to the government currently stands at c£27 billion.

The  counter fraud and debt functions (listed below) provide strategic leadership and set cross-government strategies and standards for fraud & error and debt initiatives.

1. The Government Counter Fraud Function (GCFF) has built the Counter Fraud Centre of Expertise (CoEx) which brings the wider Counter Fraud functions together to set and assure standards, and develop capability through the Counter Fraud Profession to reduce the levels of fraud in government. Learn more

The Centre for the Government Debt Management Function is a small team of debt experts who work with government departments to bring in billions every year in debt collection. The goal is to achieve fair debt outcomes for all, including those who pay on time and those who require additional support, whilst ensuring a proportionate response to those who avoid repaying. Learn more

Career opportunities and professional development

The Counter-Fraud Standards and Profession lead the professionalisation of government counter-fraud activity.

Our network of experts set standards and improve the capability of organisations and their people across a range of specialisms.

Contact us

FED@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Standards

• New single departmental plans set out how government will deliver its priorities by 2020
  • 19 February 2016
  • Press release

Initiatives

The National Fraud Initiative is a data-matching project across a large number of government organisations, which flags up inconsistencies that might indicate fraud, error or overpayment.

The Debt Resolution Services supports government departments with access to debt recovery and associated services including analytics, data, fraud and error, litigation and spend analysis services. This is aligned with the Government Debt Strategy that aims to provide a more consistent approach to making sure that taxpayers money is spent in the most efficient and effective way.

• National Fraud Initiative reports
  • 16 January 2023
  • Corporate report

The Government Debt Management Function (GDMF)

The Centre for the Government Debt Management Function is a small team of debt experts who work with government departments to bring in billions every year in debt collection. The goal is to achieve fair debt outcomes for all, including those who pay on time and those who require additional support, whilst ensuring a proportionate response to those who avoid repaying.

• Government Debt Management Function
  • 11 March 2024
  • Guidance

Published 19 February 2016
Last updated 8 April 2021 + show all updates

1. 8 April 2021

   Addition of link to 'The Government Debt Management Function (GDMF)'.

2. 19 February 2016

   First published.