The number of frauds and irregularities reported by the competent European and national authorities in 2020 in relation to the EU budget has decreased compared to previous years, according to the latest annual report on the protection of the EU’s financial interests, published by the European Commission on Monday 20 September.
“While there are some cyclical effects that explain the decrease in fraudulent irregularities, the decrease in the detection and reporting of non-fraudulent irregularities in some areas of expenditure is difficult to explain and is therefore a cause for concern”, the report states.
The 1,056 fraudulent irregularities reported in 2020 had a combined financial impact of €371 million, around 20% less than in 2019. The number of non-fraudulent irregularities remained stable, but decreased in value by 6%, according to the report. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)