Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Bill McLoughlin

Covid: Up to £4.5billion of support scheme money lost to fraud, report states

Covid-19 NAO National Audit Office
The Tories could have saved each UK household nearly £420 with the money they lost to fraud through ‘flaws’ in their Covid support schemes, Labour has claimed (Dominic Lipinski/PA) (Picture: PA Wire)

Billions of pounds awarded as part of the Covid employment scheme was lost to “fraud and error”, a new report has stated.

According to analysis from the National Audit Office (NAO) £4.5billion, which is nearly 4.6 per cent of the total cost of the £97billion Government Covid support package, was claimed in error.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
After Megan Fox Horrified Fans, Cameron Diaz Faces Scrutiny Over Her Looks As Comment About Aging Resurfaces
Cameron Diaz’s old Botox confession resurfaced after Megan Fox faced appearance-related criticism, prompting fresh online debate about cosmetic procedures and aging naturally.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Harvard’s $27.50 stained document was a rare Magna Carta original
Harvard Law School bought a stained and faded parchment in 1946 for just $27.50, believing it was an ordinary later copy of the Magna Carta. The document was catalogued as dating from 1327 and remained in the library for decades. Nearly 80 years later, medieval historians examining a digital image…
The Times of India
The Times of India
Former Black Midi frontman cancels US tour after sexual misconduct allegations
Flyers containing the accusations were handed out at show in Vancouver, Canada
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Why Is There So Much Liquid in Packaged Chicken?
If you have ever opened a package of raw chicken and found a puddle of liquid inside, you are not alone. The amount can sometimes be surprising, especially when the chicken looks like it is sitting in water. However, that liquid does not necessarily mean the chicken is spoiled or…
Grocery Coupon Guide
Grocery Coupon Guide
LeBron James is everything Philadelphia wants. And everything it can’t stand
The city has embraced its new superstar with open arms, even as he choppers in from Manhattan and makes no secret of the fact that Philadelphia was never his first choice
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Geordie Greep denies sexual assault allegations from stage in Vancouver
While some heard the former Black Midi frontman out, others made for the exit as he addressed accusations
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play