More than 50 criminal investigations begin into suspected fraud linked to Covid support schemes
Jeremy Hunt said a total of 80 arrests have been made so far as he responded to concerns from Labour
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.More than 50 criminal investigations have started into suspected fraud linked to Covid-19 support schemes, according to Jeremy Hunt.
The Chancellor added that a total of 80 arrests have been made so far as he responded to concerns from Labour.
Speaking at Treasury questions, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the UK Covid-19 Inquiry is uncovering “unsavoury examples of Government mismanagement”.
We have no quarter with any incidents of fraud and we have commenced 51 criminal investigations into suspected fraud and there have been a total of 80 arrests so far
She added: “We already know that ministers ignored warnings that their business loan schemes were vulnerable to organised crime yet the Prime Minister left the vaults open to fraudsters.
“So can the Chancellor update the House today on the latest estimates of taxpayers’ money lost to fraud from the Covid support schemes?”
Mr Hunt replied: “I’m very happy to tell the shadow chancellor that the HMRC compliance effort on Covid-19 support schemes, which started when the schemes were set up in spring 2020, has prevented the payment of, or recovered the overpayment of, over £1.6 billion of grants as of September 2023.”
Ms Reeves countered: “According to the House of Commons Library’s most recent numbers, Covid fraud losses total a staggering £7.2 billion – that’s bigger than the fiscal headroom than the Chancellor had at the spring budget.
“And more stories are coming to light of companies with undeclared interests and PPE (personal protective equipment) contracts not delivering to the standards required.
“So ahead of the autumn statement, can the Chancellor confirm that the Government has also had to write off over £8.7 billion from pandemic PPE contracts?”
Mr Hunt replied: “We have no quarter with any incidents of fraud and we have commenced 51 criminal investigations into suspected fraud and there have been a total of 80 arrests so far.”
He went on to defend the Government’s pandemic support package and its impact on the UK economy.