Using fraud and error to measure the true scale of waste crime

Background

The problem: We do not currently have the data (or mechanism) needed to measure (or estimate) the true scale of waste crime. The currently available waste crime data, which is largely based on reports of known waste crime, does not give an accurate picture of the actual incidence of waste crime.

Our current Corporate Measure for waste crime, against which Government measure our performance in tackling the problem, is based on reducing the number of known, active illegal waste sites. It does not reflect the true nature and scale of waste crime and provides a narrow view of only one waste crime type.

The gaps in our understanding in the scale of the problem have been the subject of recent scrutiny including reports by the National Audit Office and the Parliamentary Accounts Committee.

Government actions to combat waste crime - Reports, special reports and government responses -

Committees - UK Parliament

Research Request

This request relates to applying that approach for waste crime. It is anticipated that this work will be

done in two phases. Phase 1 being a feasibility study into the applicability of the 'fraud and error approach' to different waste crime types. Phase 2 would then take the most promising areas of waste crime for further in-depth analysis and ultimately look to estimate the level of fraud and error.

This request is in relation to Phase 1 only. We would like to commission the start of the feasibility study. Specific objectives of this initial piece of work are:

1. Assess the practicality of using fraud and error to measure different types of waste crime, including a preliminary analysis of evidence. Identify specific waste activities, waste types or waste regimes that should be prioritised for any subsequent research or where there are gaps in available data. Activities to initially consider are listed in the table below.

2. An analysis of the DWP approach to fraud and error in the benefits system and which elements of their methodology are likely most applicable to waste crime. Consider any other similar approaches on the 'marketplace'.

3. Advice / recommendations on how to conduct future phases of work and data collection.