Civil servants have lost more than 7,300 laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices in the past three years, costing taxpayers nearly £2.7 million. Figures obtained under Freedom of Information laws indicate that an average of 47 devices go missing each week across various government departments. Approximately 80% of these losses are due to misplacement, with the remainder being stolen.
Of the 7,312 devices that disappeared, 4,317 were mobile phones and 2,791 were laptops. The Home Office reported the highest number of lost devices, with 1,342 items missing over the three-year period, including 574 phones and 699 laptops. This department handles sensitive data related to policing, borders, passports, and immigration.
The Department for Work and Pensions followed with 1,041 missing devices, which process benefits and pension records containing bank details and National Insurance numbers. The Ministry of Defence ranked third, reporting 876 lost or stolen devices. The Cabinet Office was fourth with 713 devices gone, and the Department for Business and Trade was fifth with 642 missing phones and laptops.
Some departments, like the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, declined to confirm if they track figures on devices containing sensitive data, citing that such information could aid criminals. The Treasury confirmed that its lost and stolen devices did contain sensitive data, but stated that all devices were remotely wiped upon reporting their loss.
William Yarwood, campaigns director of The TaxPayers' Alliance, commented on the losses, stating that they represent a costly reminder of how casually taxpayer-funded property is treated. He emphasized the sensitive nature of the data handled by these departments and called for cost recovery from negligent staff, tighter reporting rules, and consequences for officials when government equipment vanishes.
A government spokesperson affirmed that the security of government devices is taken very seriously, with items like laptops and mobile phones being encrypted to prevent security compromises in the event of a loss. The spokesperson also noted that a very small proportion of such devices are reported lost or stolen annually, which is consistent with practices in other organizations.