Audit check to beat the cheats

Every two years, Audit Scotland (working with the Audit Commission) organises a national data matching exercise known as the National Fraud Initiative.

The use of data by Audit Scotland in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under its powers and does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998. Audit Scotland is a Government organisation that checks public money is spent properly and audits more than 200 governmental organisations, including the City of Edinburgh Council.

The Council participated in the last data matching exercise in 2006/07 which identified around £9.7 million of fraud, error, overpayments and forward savings.

In order to help prevent and detect fraud we will again be sharing with Audit Scotland information held electronically such as payroll, Council Tax and housing benefit and contractors’ payments.

This information will be compared with electronic information held by other bodies participating in the National Fraud Initiative.

This helps to identify inconsistencies that require further investigation.

The reports only indicate inconsistencies that require examination and there is no presumption that any errors, fraud or overpayment has occurred until investigations have been completed.

Edinburgh has many positive qualities that attract businesses and jobs here. Earlier this year the city was awarded the title of ‘Top Small European City’ for inward investment by the influential FDI magazine. Edinburgh was also rated very highly as a business location in a recent survey of UK business leaders.

Major planning applications have been submitted for the redevelopment of the St James Centre, the Cowgate fire site and exciting developments on Princes Street.

Major projects at Haymarket,St Andrew Square and Caltongate also remain on track, and are part of an estimated £6 billion worth of investment going on in Edinburgh currently.