National Fraud Initiative
Councils are using the National Fraud Initiative to detect and prevent fraud, with recent reports detailing financial recoveries and ongoing challenges.
Ealing Council is participating in the National Fraud Initiative (NFI), a data matching exercise to detect fraud, as part of its prevention measures. Between April and September 2025, Ealing's internal audits identified £701,000 in savings and recovered losses, as detailed in the LBE Q2 Audit Investigation Report in December 2025. Similarly, Westminster's Fraud Team uncovered over £1 million in fraudulent activity in the 2024/25 financial year, with proactive data analysis facilitated by participation in the London NFI Fraud Hub, according to a July 2025 report.
Bexley Council's Counter Fraud team primarily receives reports of potential frauds through the biennial National Fraud Initiative, leading to increased savings for the borough, as discussed by the General Purposes and Audit Committee in July 2025. Meanwhile, other councils are also intensifying anti-fraud efforts; Waltham Forest recovered 26 properties by October 2025, and Harrow's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team is working to meet targets for recovering social housing units, as reported in November 2025.
The National Fraud Initiative is a data-matching exercise conducted by the Cabinet Office to detect and prevent fraud across public sector organisations. While no specific upcoming meetings are listed regarding the NFI, councils continue to review their overall fraud prevention measures, such as Wandsworth Council's Audit Committee reviewing its fraud prevention measures in November 2025.
Key facts
- Ealing Council identified £701,000 in savings and recovered losses between April and September 2025. Source
- Harrow's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team is behind target on recovering social housing units and disrupting fraudulent Right to Buy applications. Source
- Waltham Forest Council recovered 26 properties between April and August 2025, with a notional value of £1,716,000. Source
- Bexley Council's Counter Fraud team primarily receives fraud reports through the biennial National Fraud Initiative. Source
- Westminster's Fraud Team uncovered over £1 million in fraudulent activity during the 2024/25 financial year. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.