We are required by law to protect the public funds we administer. We share information provided to us with other public bodies and outside organisations to help prevent and detect crime where there is a legal gateway to do so.

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match; this is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Telford & Wrekin Council will participate in data matching exercises in order to prevent and detect fraud and for the assessment or collection of a tax or duty or an imposition of a similar nature.

The National Fraud Initiative (NFI)

We undertake a data matching exercise in conjunction with the Cabinet Office to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud known as the National Fraud Initiative (NFI). We provide particular sets of data to the Cabinet Office for this matching exercise; these are set out in the National Fraud Initiative by the Cabinet Office. Visit GOV.UK for more information about the National Fraud Initiative.

The Data used in the NFI

The follow is a list of data sets processed in the NFI exercise:

  • pension
  • taxi driver licence
  • market trader licence - voluntary
  • personal alcohol licence - voluntary
  • social housing (current tenants and individuals on a housing waiting list and temporary accommodation)
  • Right to Buy (completed and in progress)
  • transport pass and permit
  • Council Tax Reduction Scheme
  • Council Tax Single Person Discount
  • Universal Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • other state benefits
  • COVID-19 financial support
  • help with NHS health costs
  • Payroll.

In addition to the above the NFI also includes information in relation to:

  • payment of an invoice from an organisation that takes part in the NFI. This is referred to as trade creditor standing and payment history data.
  • payment for employment from an organisation that takes part in the NFI. This is referred to as payroll data.
  • registering to vote. This is referred to as Electoral Register data.
  • business rates.
  • A grant operated by a local authority. This is referred to as the Landlord Incentive Scheme
  • Protection of deposits paid by home renters. This is referred to as the Deposit Protection Service.
  • Properties advertised and let for short periods. This is referred to as Short term rental of housing data.

Data specifications setting out exactly what data we process in the above areas can be found on the National Fraud Initiative: public sector data specifications page.

Criminal Convictions

Should data matching through the NFI result in a prosecution, then this may also be recorded by participating organisations. This information is for recording outcomes purposes only and the data won’t be shared further.

Special categories of personal information (Article 9 of UK GDPR & Chapter 2 Section 10 of the DPA 2018).

Included in the NFI are certain special categories of personal information:

Housing and other benefit and student loan data includes an indicator of physical or mental health or condition. This disability flag, which does not identify the specific condition, is required as disability has an impact upon a student’s entitlement to claim housing benefit. Therefore, we do share details of specific physical disability during the NFI exercise.

The NFI collects data on blue badge holders (and applicants). However, we do not share information on the medical condition that entitles the individual to a badge.

Purpose

The Cabinet Office conducts data matching exercises such as the NFI to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. This is one of the ways in which the Minister for the Cabinet Office takes responsibility within government for public sector efficiency and reform.

Automated decision making

Your personal data will not be subject to automated decision making or profiling as defined by Article 22 UK GDPR. 

Data Matching Process

Data matching involves comparing sets of data, such as the payroll or benefits records of a body, against other records held by the Council or another body to see how far they match. This is done as an automated process with no decisions made as part of that process. The data is usually personal information. 

The data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it may indicate that there is an inconsistency that requires further investigation. All bodies participating in the Cabinet Office’s data matching exercises receive a report of matches that they should investigate, so as to detect instances of fraud, over or under payments and other errors, to take remedial action and update their records accordingly. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out. This requires human intervention and decision making.

Legal basis of processing

The processing of data by the Cabinet Office in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under its powers in 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.

Special category data is personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, and the processing of genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person, data concerning health or data concerning a natural person’s sex life or sexual orientation. The legal basis for processing your special category personal data is:

The legal basis for processing your criminal convictions data is paragraphs 6 and 10 of ​schedule 1​ to the Data Protection Act 2018.

Participants in the NFI

Mandatory participants in the NFI include:

  • district and county councils
  • London and metropolitan boroughs
  • unitary authorities
  • combined authorities
  • police authorities
  • fire and rescue authorities
  • pension authorities
  • NHS Trusts
  • Foundation Trusts
  • Integrated Care Boards
  • passenger transport authorities
  • passenger transport executives
  • waste authorities
  • Greater London Authority and its functional bodies

In addition, the following bodies provide data to the NFI for matching on a voluntary basis:

  • private sector pension schemes (various)
  • Metropolitan Police – Operation Amberhill
  • Special health authorities
  • housing associations and other social housing providers
  • probation authorities
  • national park authorities
  • central government pensions schemes
  • Insurance Fraud Bureau
  • central government departments
  • Social Security Scotland
  • Synectics Solutions Limited SIRA
  • LexisNexis Risk Solutions Ltd
  • AirBnB
  • Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme
  • Credit reference agencies
  • other private organisations/companies

Retention

Your personal data will be kept by the NFI for the periods set out in there Data Deletion Schedule (PDF, 127KB) .

Complaints

If you consider that your personal data has been misused or mishandled, you may make a complaint to the Information Commissioner, who is an independent regulator. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner’s Office Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Email: icocasework@ico.org.uk

Any complaint to the Information Commissioner is without prejudice to your right to seek redress through the courts.

Contact details

The data controller for your personal data is the Cabinet Office. The contact details for the data controller is:

Email: nfiqueries@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

The contact details for the Data Protection Officer (DPO) of the data controller are:

Email: dpo@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

The Data Protection Officer provides independent advice and monitoring of Cabinet Office’s use of personal information

The Cabinet Office must prepare and publish a ​Code of Practice​. All bodies conducting or participating in its data matching exercises, including the Cabinet Office itself, must have regard to the Code.

Details of how the Cabinet Office processes your data during the National Fraud Initiative exercise, the retention periods and how to complain is detailed at National Fraud Initiative privacy notice - GOV.UK.