DEVELOPING: Covid Scheme Fraud Totals £10.9bn, Recovery Efforts "Beyond Hope

Breaking News: Covid Scheme Fraud Totals £10.9bn, Recovery Efforts "Beyond Hope" A staggering £10.9 billion in taxpayer money has been lost to fraud and error in Covid support schemes, with much of it now deemed "beyond recovery". According to a report by the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, Tom Hayhoe, the massive outlays of public money during the pandemic exposed the UK to significant risks of fraud and error. The report found that employment support schemes, including furlough and help for the self-employed, suffered £5 billion in fraud. Despite efforts to recover some of the lost funds, £1.8 billion has been recovered so far, leaving a significant shortfall. The previous Conservative government's support measures, aimed at propping up the economy during lockdowns, have been credited with helping many individuals and businesses. However, the report's findings have sparked outrage, with Commissioner Hayhoe stating that the issue of fraud, abuse, and error remains undiminished. The report's conclusions are a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the UK in responding to the pandemic. As the government continues to grapple with the aftermath of the crisis, the full extent of the financial losses is becoming increasingly clear. This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.