§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional security measures are planned by his Department to deter and detect theft and fraud. [31800]
§ Angela EagleThe Home Office has a wide ranging set of procedures and/or plans to deter and detect theft and fraud:
Fraud Strategy
An updated Home Office Fraud Strategy, Policy and Response Plan is in the final stages of consultation before being promulgated across the Office.
Existing advice and guidance on fraud and theft is formally documented.
Whistle-blowing
A documented departmental policy already exists and conforms to Cabinet Office guidance.
Risk Management
A Home Office Risk Management Team is now firmly established.
It is facilitating a risk management programme across the office.
871WAnnual Systems Assurance Statements (ASAS)
A system of annual assurance statements operates with the purpose of providing an assurance to the Departmental Accounting Officer (DAO) from delegated budget holders on the adequacy and effectiveness of their systems of internal financial control.
As part of ASAS 2001 Directors signed up to specific statements on counter-fraud and corporate governance and risk management, respectively.
Corporate Governance Assurance Statements (CGAS)
CGAS reports are provided to the DAO by the Accounting Officers (AOs) of the Prison Service, Forensic Science Service and the Passport Records Agency.
Internal Control—Audit and Assurance Unit (AAU)
The Chief Internal Auditor provides an assurance to the DAO on the corporate governance framework and systems of internal control in the financial and operational systems across the wider Home Office through the internal audit programme which is based on an analysis of risk and priority.
In undertaking this work auditors consider the risk of fraud and report on this, as appropriate.
A high proportion of internal audit resource is dedicated to the Home Office's key financial systems and the Department's Agencies and NDPBs.
Internal Control—Other
Staff are expected to comply with the Finance Manual and other procedures that are issued by Accounts Branch from time to time.
Members of staff are not allowed to accept gifts, hospitality or benefits in kind as these could lead to a perception of a conflict of interest and/or of impropriety and guidance on this is available in the Staff Handbook.
Service level agreements between Directors/Chief Executives and the Departmental Security Officer underline the importance of protecting valuable assets and this is reinforced through security awareness training and publicity campaigns.
Staff are encouraged to lock away items such as lap-tops, mobile telephones and personal valuables.
Where there are guard patrols out of hours, guards are asked to check for unprotected assets and make them safe. This is reinforced by random sweeps by the Departmental Security Unit.
Authority to remove equipment is given by Heads of Unit and checked on exit by guards. There are also random checks of vehicles on exit.