The Danish National Audit Office reveals errors in the Danish Defence Intelligence Service’s (FE) working hour registration. The National Audit Office has identified extensive errors in the registration of working hours in the Danish Defence Intelligence Service (FE), which is also facing financial challenges. According to information obtained by Ritzau from the National Audit Office, there is significant chaos in FE’s financial management and handling of employees’ working hours.
The audit reveals that many employees at FE fail to register their absence correctly. The exact amount of incorrect registrations is not disclosed, as this information has been redacted from the information obtained. Extra Bladet has previously reported that FE must reduce its expenses by over 100 million Danish kroner from an annual budget of 1.4 billion Danish kroner, with a substantial portion going towards salaries.
A test conducted by the National Audit Office on the Friday after Ascension Day, May 19, 2023, shows that many employees had taken time off without registering it as absence. This resulted in employees getting a “free day off”. It is possible that some employees may have worked extra hours before or after this day without registering it, but this is not documented.
FE’s acting chief, Svend Larsen, has stated in a written comment that a comprehensive modernization of financial management has been initiated. “FE takes the National Audit Office’s criticism very seriously. FE’s finances are subject to special confidentiality, and it is therefore extra important that we avoid errors. We are working intensively to address the issues highlighted by the National Audit Office,” says Svend Larsen.
Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen (Venstre) has previously expressed strong criticism of the financial irregularities and has warned that the state may not necessarily cover the deficit. He is not yet aware of whether there is a potentially significant financial problem in FE.
This situation arises at a time when the threat from Russia to Denmark and the global community is increasing. FE’s financial affairs are confidential, and only the overall results are presented orally to the State Auditors, who serve as the state’s oversight body. If errors or inappropriate behavior are discovered, the National Audit Office can report separately on this.