Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much public money intended to support businesses affected by covid-19 restrictions has been lost to fraud.

The Government has provided around £400 billion of direct support for the economy since the start of the pandemic, which has helped to safeguard jobs, businesses, and public services in every region and nation of the UK.

This package has included a wide range of different COVID-19 support schemes for businesses, delivered by a variety of Government departments, either directly, via their arms-length bodies, or via local authorities.

Departments are required to disclose details of material fraud, evasion, and error within their annual report and accounts, which can be found on GOV.UK.