The Government has commissioned an inter-departmental review into the detection, investigation and prosecution of fraud. A review team comprising representatives from across the criminal justice system began work in October 2005. It will consider the scope for improving the current arrangements with the objective of reducing the extent of fraud and minimising the harm it causes to the economy and to society.

It will engage in a process of consultation with the public and private sectors and will report jointly to the Attorney General and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury by late Spring 2006.

The Serious Fraud Office is contributing to the review. The SFO Director is a member of the steering group and an Assistant Director has been seconded to work on the review on a full time basis.

The organisations involved in the steering group are;

• Attorney General's Office
• Serious Fraud Office
• Crown Prosecution Service
• Department for Constitutional Affairs
• Home Office
• HM Treasury
• Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
• Department of Health (Counter Fraud Unit)
• Financial Services Authority
• City of London Police
• Fraud Advisory Panel

The official web site of the fraud review is www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk/the_fraud_review_page.html.