A Cabinet Office document detailing fraud in the public sector disclosed the official had held three jobs simultaneously on two separate occasions between 2022 and 2024.
It will increase pressure on the Government over its commitment to tackling the performance of the civil service, which Keir Starmer described as “overcautious and flabby” as he pledged major reform on Thursday.
The civil servant held a total of four roles while unwitting bosses did not realise he was simultaneously employed elsewhere, with the report stating: “Following an investigation it was found out that this person held three roles in three government departments during two separate time frames.”
Caption: The civil servant held full time jobs Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department of Health and Social Care
The individual was later charged after the fraud investigation was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service. Court proceedings against the individual are understood to be ongoing.
He said: “When in government the Conservatives commissioned, and backed, the Boardman report, with a number of recommendations for proper monitoring of the civil service, including second jobs and outside roles.”
The Government said it had “stepped up” efforts to tackle public sector fraud since coming into office last year.
The report states: “This was highlighted as an emerging risk area following changes to working practices since COVID-19, where many organisations now allow staff work remotely or on a hybrid basis as normal operating procedures.”
The issue of civil servants working from home became contentious during the last parliament, with then cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg criticising remote workers and leaving notes on empty desks in 2022, saying: “I look forward to seeing you in the office very soon.”
The Cabinet Office refused to provide further details of the civil servant’s employment, although the report suggests the individual worked in a sensitive role as they had passed counter-terrorism and security vetting.
According to the report, the senior official withheld his civil service employment history during the job application process which allowed them to secure multiple government jobs during overlapping time periods.
Cabinet Ministers have pushed for efficiency drives in their departments, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper launching a “DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency] unit” in the style of Elon Musk’s cost cutting venture across the Atlantic.
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He said: “Taxpayers will be absolutely gobsmacked that a civil servant managed to wing their way through multiple full-time jobs at taxpayers’ expense. This isn’t just a case of bureaucratic bungling, it’s outright negligence.
“The Government must tighten up hiring processes, introduce proper performance monitoring, and root out waste in Whitehall.”
He was taken to court and pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud that cost taxpayers almost £17,000. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.
A government spokesperson said: “While we cannot comment on specific cases, this government has stepped up its efforts to fight public sector fraud.”
Councillor Robert Frost, cabinet spokesperson for core services at Barnsley Council, said: “As a local authority we take any fraudulent behaviour incredibly seriously and responded robustly, as shown in the report.”
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