About us
The Public Sector Fraud Authority works with departments and public bodies to understand and reduce the impact of fraud.
We provide expert-led services to support government departments and public bodies to reduce the impact of public sector fraud.
Mission
Our mission is to:
- Modernise the fraud and error response by widening access, and use of, leading practices, tools and technology - better protecting taxpayers money.
- Build expert led services that collaborate with experts in Departments and Public Bodies to better fight fraud and error through risk, prevention, data and enforcement techniques
- Develop capability in the public sector to find, prevent and respond to fraud and error - both organisationally and individually
- Put performance at the heart of the public sector fraud conversation - focusing on investments and outcomes
- We will aim to be seen as a beacon of fraud and error expertise and a destination for those wanting to make a difference in fighting public sector fraud.
Responsibilities
We are responsible for:
- Being the government’s Centre of Expertise on the management of public sector fraud.
- Being the authoritative voice within government on the extent of the risk and threat of fraud across the public sector and the government’s overall performance in dealing with it.
- Providing expert-led services to ministerial departments and public bodies and sharing practices and standards to the wider public sector.
- The government’s Counter Fraud Function, bringing together the expertise of those who work to find and fight fraud and reduce error across government.
- Operating the Government Counter Fraud Profession to build capability in counter fraud across government.
- Producing an annual Report that makes transparent the levels of fraud in government and the latest fraud and error evidence base and an annual report on its performance.
- Providing data to the National Audit Office. This will include performance data and the compliance with mandatory processes and data requests.
Who we are
We employ over 100 staff who work across the country. We are made up of 7 services and functions.
Our functions and support services
PSFA Functions
Performance, Assurance and Evidence
We will increase understanding of the extent of fraud and error loss and oversee the performance of public bodies. We will review public bodies’ compliance against the Functional Standard. We will continue to build and maintain the evidence base for fraud and error in central government by collating data on fraud loss and undertaking research.
Practice, Standards and Capability
We will bring expertise together from across the government supported by other sectors to define and promote good practice, set professional standards and develop capability through the governments Counter Fraud Profession. This will provide the structure to recognise the knowledge, skills and experience of counter fraud professionals across the public sector.
Policy
We will provide expert advice and information to Ministers, government departments and public bodies. We will develop cross government policy to modernise the counter fraud response and bring together international partners to share leading practices through the International Public Sector Fraud Forum.
PSFA Support Services
Risk, Threat and Prevention
We will create a service to support government departments and public bodies in understanding the fraud risks and threats they face.
We will also help them design fraud controls and countermeasures, and test their effectiveness. This is an integral part of a modern fraud prevention approach.
Data and Intelligence
We will build a new National Counter Fraud Data Analytics Service (NCFDAS) that will provide best-in-class tools and techniques to support public bodies to find and prevent fraud. This will build on the long standing National Fraud Initiative (NFI) and the centre of the Counter Fraud Function’s data sharing pilots programme. We will facilitate public bodies’ access to data and other advanced and innovative counter-fraud technologies, making best use of both the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Digital Economy Act 2017. We will enhance the use of intelligence across the public sector to find and reduce fraud.
Enforcement
We will explore the creation of a civil and criminal enforcement unit to take action on cases of fraud in the public sector in support of government departments and public bodies.
Core Services
The operation of the PSFA will be underpinned by core services including, human resources, commercial and finance.