Protecting your information (GDPR)

General Data Protection Regulations

Your personal information is very important to you and to us.  The way we collect, keep and use information about you has developed with technology.  The laws that govern the use of your personal data have changed to cover these developments.

From 25 May 2018, the UK has to adhere to the new data protection laws – the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

You’re better protected

The new rules make sure that all organisations are set up to protect any personal data they hold, and to act if something goes wrong.  Rest assured, robust security has always been a crucial part of everything we do.

You have more control

You have a right to have your privacy respected and your data protected.  the new law gives you easier access to the personal information we hold about you, if you wish to check or change it.  It is designed to give you confidence that this information is accurate, up to date ad well managed.

You can choose who can contact you, and how, and you can change your mind.  You can control if and how we contact you, for example by email or phone. We must give you the opportunity to change your mind about the choices you have made. This helps to give you options and keep you in control.

Prevention and detection of fraud

This Trust 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, or where undertaking a public function, in order to prevent and detect fraud.

We participate in the Cabinet Office’s National Fraud Initiative: a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Minister for the Cabinet Office for matching for each exercise.

Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified.

Where a match is found it may indicate that there is an inconsistency which requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.

The processing of data by the Cabinet Office in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority under its powers in Part 6 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under data protection legislation or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), however the Cabinet Office set out how your data will be used and your rights on the Gov.uk Government website.

For further information on data matching at this Trust please email the Local Counter Fraud Specialist, or phone 07528 970 251.