Report Calls for Greater Action on Anti-Fraud Measures in States of Jersey

A new report has indicated that further action is required to “fully embed a culture of anti-fraud and error” within the States of Jersey. Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) Lynn Pamment released this conclusion on Thursday in her latest report on addressing fraud and error. The report assessed the States’ methods for preventing and detecting fraud and error, which Ms. Pamment described as “key to minimising loss and ensuring public funds are spent in the way taxpayers would expect”. She noted in the report that the States had expressed its intention to “strengthen corporate arrangements for managing the risk of fraud and error”. The C&AG observed that the States acknowledged the need for improvements, which would also include managing the risk of corruption. The report added that establishing an anti-fraud, error, and corruption culture across an organization “as complex and diverse as the States will take time but the trajectory is positive”. The C&AG found that progress in the “design and implementation of controls to manage the risk of fraud and error” was “variable across departments”. She stated that recommendations from a previous C&AG report had not been fully implemented. The current report asserted, “Delays in implementing recommendations to improve processes and tighten controls mean that the States continue to be exposed to risk.” According to the C&AG, the levels of identified overclaims for financial support from the government increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ms. Pamment attributed this to the introduction of new schemes designed to provide support for businesses and individuals. The report indicated that as of the end of September this year, £5m in overclaims had yet to be recovered by the government. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.