Independent Commissioner finds last government’s support schemes left the front door open to covid fraud with £10.9 billion lost to pandemic fraudsters

Government has already actioned recommendations in Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner’s report - including new fraud powers and voluntary repayment scheme

Further action planned to retrieve lost funds and prevent repeat of mistakes in future crises

The Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, Tom Hayhoe’s, final report to Parliament finds many schemes - including Bounce Back Loans and Eat Out to Help Out - were rolled out with huge fraud risks and no early safeguards – costing the taxpayer millions.

Weak accountability, bad quality data and poor contracting were identified as the primary causes of the £10.9 billion pound losses – which were enou

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