Protecting Public Resources in Scotland: counter fraud strategy

Ministerial Foreword

In Scotland we recognise the importance of working together across organisational boundaries to protect our precious public resources from the risk of fraud, bribery
and corruption.

Protecting Public Resources in Scotland sets out our five clear strategic objectives to deter, disable, prevent, detect and deal with fraud, bribery and corruption in Scotland. This strategy signals an enhanced emphasis on prevention as part of our efforts to combat money laundering, cyber-crime and other financial crime: to ultimately help achieve a more productive, cohesive and fairer Scotland.

This strategy forms an integral part of a commitment to ensure our resources are protected for the benefit of the Scottish people, that the efficiency of our public services are maintained in the face of continued austerity. This all contributes towards this Government's central purpose to create a more successful country, with opportunities
for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth.

We believe that a One Scotland approach is needed to deliver on our strategic ambitions, with all public sector agencies working together - recognising that all can and should make a contribution towards combatting fraud, bribery and corruption, across the public sector, the third sector, trade unions, businesses and communities.

Working in collaboration, we can create a partnership that continually improves our approach to Protecting Public Resources in Scotland.

John Swinney
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Economy

Michael Matheson
Cabinet Secretary for Justice