This authority is required by law to protect the public funds it administers. It may share information provided to it with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, to prevent and detect fraud.
The cabinet office is responsible for carrying out data matching exercises.
Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it indicates that there is an inconsistency which requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.
The cabinet office currently requires us to participate in a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. As part of the National Fraud Initiative we are required to provide particular sets of data for matching for each exercise. Details of this initiative can be found at www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-fraud-initiative
The use of data by the cabinet office in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under Part 6 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 2018.
Data matching by the cabinet office is subject to a code of practice. This may be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-data-matching-practice-for-national-fraud-initiative
For further information on how the cabinet office uses personal data and individuals rights see www.gov.uk/government/publications/fair-processing-national-fraud-initiative
Contact the team directly on 01773 841430 or email dpo@ambervalley.gov.uk
