Fraud and error in public spending are estimated to cost the taxpayer up to £51.8 billion every year. Around £25 billion is outside the tax and benefits system, according to a report published by the Public Accounts Committee.
From April 2020 to March 2021, fraud within Universal Credit rose to an all-time high of 14.5%, or £5.5 billion. It has also come to light that between 35% and 60%, equivalent to £16 billion to £27 billion, of loans issued through the Bounce Back Loan Scheme may never be repaid due to fraud or credit risks.
How could this happen?
For many areas of spending outside the tax and benefits system, there is still no formal measurement and limited capability to tackle fraud and error, risking large amounts of fraud and error being unidentified or untackled, said the PAC Fraud and Error report. Cabinet Office estimates this annual level of undetected fraud and error could cost the taxpayer up to £25 billion a year before COVID-19 schemes are considered.
The report said some early government support schemes failed to implement basic principles of effective fraud control, with the report expressing concern that departments are not required to consult with the Government’s Counter Fraud Function when designing new spending initiatives.
The Committee asked BEIS about plans to recover loans made as part of the Bounce Back Loan Scheme.
Dame Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Committee, said a more robust approach to tackling fraud by the government was needed: “If BEIS is worried that 100% taxpayer loan guarantees mean the lending banks don’t have enough skin in the game, departments across government show a worrying, similar lack of urgency.”
“BEIS told us that in the first instance, it is the banks’ responsibility to manage recovery in line with their usual processes. BEIS explained that it is planning to work with the police to carry out criminal investigations, and pursue a civil recoveries programme.”
Should taxpayers that were denied COVID support be liable to pay it off?
HELL NO!
Denied, forgotten and excluded. Often defamed as potential fraudsters. The microbiz directors, the sole-traders, the freelancers that the Public Accounts Committee has acknowledged as perhaps 3.8 million taxpayers.
We paid our tax. Where’s our support?!