"The NFI has been vital in identifying and combating fraud, its long term value for the public sector has become immeasurable, " added Mr Colman.

BBC: Fraud detection scheme nets ?4.5m

Jim Gee, the former head of NHS Protect, the body charged with combating fraud within the health service, called the the system in hospitals "unworkable".

BBC: Overseas 'health tourists' costing NHS at least ?40m

Shadow chancellor Michael Portillo backed the measures to reduce benefit fraud, but accused the government of having missed its targets for combating welfare fraud every year since it came to office.

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