Background
North Tyneside Council is required by law to protect the public funds it administers. We may share information provided to us with other bodies responsible for auditing, administering public funds, or undertaking a public function, to prevent and detect fraud.
To help us do this, the Cabinet Office carries out the National Fraud Initiative data matching exercise. This involves public bodies across the country sending certain types of data to the Cabinet Office, which are then compared to spot any differences or anomalies to prevent and detect fraud. Where a match is found, it may indicate an inconsistency requiring further investigation. No assumptions are or can be made as to whether there is fraud, error, or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.
Data Sets
North Tyneside Council participates in the National Fraud Initiative data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Cabinet Office including, but not limited to:
- Housing benefits
- Council tax – reduction and discounts
- Students eligible for a loan
- Housing – current tenants, waiting list and right to buy
- Trade creditors – payment history and standing data
- Blue badges
- Residents’ parking permits
- Concessionary travel passes
- Electoral register
- Insurance claims
- Payroll and pensions
- Adult social care data – Private supported care home residents and personal budgets direct payments
Special Categories of Personal Information
(article 9 of UK General Data Protection Regulations and Chapter 2 Section 10 of the Data Protection Act 2018). Within the data sets above there may be information which enables identification of special category personal information, such as disability indicators, personal budgets and residential care homes. The information shared and processed through NFI will be indicators only, and will not include underlying data about a disability, condition or health status.
Legal Basis
The use of data by the Cabinet Office in data matching exercises is carried out with statutory authority under Part 6 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, as amended by the Legislative Reform (Disclosure of Adult Social Care Data) Order 2025. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 2018 or the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). Data matching by the Cabinet Office is subject to a code of practice.