Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of fake companies that have obtained coronavirus Bounce Back Loans as part of the Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan scheme since that scheme was launched.

This Government responded to the pandemic with over £400 billion in support for business and British jobs. Thanks to the action we took we’re now seeing a thriving jobs market with record numbers in work and our economy growing faster than many expected.

I note at the time the Government announced its support package many, including the Labour Party, were calling for the Government to lower protections.

Our latest estimate is contained in the Department’s 2020-21 Annual Report.