Data Protection

Southwark Council is required by law to protect the public funds it administers. It may share information provided to it with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

It is important that you are aware, that Southwark Council undertakes local anti-fraud initiatives on a regular basis with data matching, which can be done without the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998. This involves comparing computer records, usually personal information, to check that they match and allows us to identify inconsistencies which may require further investigation, and can include information held on the housing waiting list. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

The Audit Commission is also responsible for carrying out data matching exercises. They currently require us to participate in a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. This is part of the National Fraud Initiative. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Audit Commission for matching for each exercise, and these are set out in the Audit Commission's guidance. The use of data by the Audit Commission in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under its powers in Part 2A of the Audit Commission Act 1998. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998.

Data matching by the Audit Commission is subject to a Code of Practice.

Find out more about the Audit Commission's legal powers and the reasons why it matches particular information.

For further information on data matching in Southwark, contact the Governance Team, PO Box 64529, London, SE1P 5LX or by email to accessinfo@southwark.gov.uk