Criminals who defraud taxpayer would face longer sentences under Labour legal overhaul
CRIMINALS who defraud the taxpayer would face longer sentences under a Labour legal overhaul.
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged to review the law which does not have a specific offence of fraud against the public purse — except for welfare and tax.
Ms Reeves cited the £7.2billion lost to fraud in Covid support schemes.
The US, Canada and Australia all have greater sentencing for the crime.
Ms Reeves said: “I worked as an economist at the Bank of England. I know the value of taxpayers’ money.
"That’s why as Chancellor, I would appoint a Covid Corruption Commissioner equipped with the powers to chase down those who have ripped us off and claw back every penny of taxpayer’s money that we can.
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“That money belongs to our schools, our hospital and our police – and we want it back.
“But we would go further. A future Labour government would look at introducing tougher sentencing for those who ripped off the taxpayer.
“We would look at what other countries – including the US, Canada and Australia – have done to hold criminals to account.
“The next Labour government will always treat taxpayers’ money with the respect and hold those who don’t to account.”
