Small errors in basic registers can have big consequences
Fragmented approach to combating fraud with basic registers
The government is digitising information and making greater use of basic registers containing data on citizens and businesses. Its aim is to improve the quality and efficiency of the services it provides. The other side of the coin, however, is that errors in the system can create problems for citizens through no fault of their own. Data in the systems, including errors, are shared among various government organisations, which may then take incorrect decisions. Benefit payments may be stopped and fines may incorrectly be imposed. Citizens must have simple access to inspect their data and inform a central desk to resolve problems in the basic registers. To improve the basic registers the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) should have greater power to manage the system. The Court of Audit therefore recommends that a law be introduce to increase the Minister’s powers. The findings are presented in the report, Basic Registers seen from the perspective of citizens, anti-fraud measures and governance, which the Court of Audit published on 29 October 2014.