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.

“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.”