National Fraud Initiative

Data matching

We are required by law to protect the public funds we administer. We may share information provided with other bodies responsible for; auditing and administering public funds. Or, when undertaking a public function to prevent and detect fraud and errors.

The Cabinet Office is responsible for carrying out data matching exercises, under the umbrella of the National Fraud Initiative.

Data matching involves comparing records held by one body, against records held by the same, or another body, to see how far they match. This is usually personal information. Data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found, it may indicate there is an inconsistency that requires further investigation.

No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error, or other explanations until an investigation is carried out.

We participate in the Cabinet Office's National Fraud Initiative. This is a series of ongoing data matching exercises, to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Cabinet Office for matching for each exercise.

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 General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), or the Data Protection Act 2018.

Data matching by the Cabinet Office is subject to a Code of Practice.

View further information on the Cabinet Office's legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information.

For further information about our data matching contact: