Treasury Committee to quiz ministers on fraud, scams and economic crime

MPs will hear from John Glen, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, and Damian Hinds, Security Minister, in the final session of the Committee’s inquiry into Economic Crime.

Following news that fraud increased by 30 per cent in the first half of 2021, the Committee is likely to use the session to discuss the action required to tackle fraud and scams.

The Committee has also heard that fraud offences are among the most prevalent crimes in England and Wales. In 2020, such offences accounted for 36 per cent of all crime. MPs are likely to ask what the Government is doing to tackle the growth of online scams and how effective Government action has been in tackling fraud since the Economic Crime Plan was launched in 2019.

The Committee may also use the session to explore what the Government is doing to stop the rise in authorised push payment fraud and to ensure that victims are reimbursed.

Other topics of discussion could include effectiveness on the anti-money laundering regime, and the need for more transparent ownership of companies and property to prevent criminals hiding money in the UK.