Committee publication · Estimate memoranda · 29 April 2026
Serious Fraud Office Main Estimates Memorandum 2026-27
From: Justice Committee
Summary
The Serious Fraud Office's Main Estimates memorandum for 2026-27 seeks £114.0m in Resource DEL, £37.1m in Capital DEL, and £4.8m in Resource AME. Key increases include £9.0m for proactive intelligence capability and technology platforms, £34.6m for office relocation and leasehold accommodation under IFRS 16, offset partly by £20.2m reduction in AME due to depreciation reclassification. Administration costs fall 19.3% due to completion of Finance/HR system implementation.
Key findings
- Resource DEL increases £9.0m (8.6%) on prior year, driven by investment in proactive intelligence capability, critical operational technology platforms (case management system, intelligence analysis automation), and government estate office relocation
- Capital DEL rises £34.6m (1,384%) to £37.1m, primarily for IFRS 16 right-of-use asset creation for new leasehold accommodation and fit-out costs
- Resource AME falls £20.2m (-80.7%) to £4.8m as £4.8m depreciation is reclassified into AME control total; no new legal provisions added
- Administration costs reduce by £2.26m (-19.3%) following one-off Finance and HR system implementation costs in 2025-26, with planned efficiencies in project management, civil litigation, transcription/translation, and counsel deployment
- Resource DEL sits £20.0m above 2025 Spending Review baseline due to legal provisions crystallising in-year; no other variance against Spending Review
Tone
ProceduralTopics
public-financeserious-fraudcriminal-justicegovernment-spending
Key actors
Serious Fraud Office, Attorney General, Tanya de Jager, House of Commons Scrutiny Unit
Notable line
“Fraud Office fights complex financial crime, delivers justice for victims and protects the UK's reputation as a safe place to do business.”
Key Quotes
“To investigate and prosecute the most serious or complex cases of fraud, bribery and corruption.”
“Investment in our proactive intelligence capability to make sure the SFO is investigating only the top tier of fraud, bribery and corruption cases that no other law enforcement agency can take on.”
“Part of this funding was allocated to create a right of use asset for a new leasehold accommodation and associated fit-out costs”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗