Try GOLD - Free
Covid-19 fraud cost taxpayers £10.9bn
Nottingham Post
|December 10, 2025
FRAUD and error linked to financial support programmes during the coronavirus pandemic cost taxpayers £10.9billion, a report has found.
-
The authors warned that only £1.8bn has been recovered and said “much of the shortfall is now beyond recovery”.
The final report by the Covid counter fraud commissioner, Tom Hayhoe, found that many schemes, including Eat Out To Help Out and Bounce Back Loans, were rolled out quickly with significant risks.
He said many decisions taken during Covid lockdowns “paid too little attention to the risk of fraud”.
Mr Hayhoe, who was tasked by Chancellor Rachel Reeves with trying to recover the public money lost to fraud, said in his report that controls were “inadequate” and only improved later in the pandemic.
This story is from the December 10, 2025 edition of Nottingham Post.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Burglar jailed after he left fingerprints at crime scene
A CRIMINAL who terrified a shop worker was caught and jailed after leaving behind a vital clue during a burglary.
1 mins
May 13, 2026
Nottingham Post
Fourth minister resigns as pressure piles on PM
LABOUR has descended into open division over Sir Keir Starmer’s future, as four ministers resigned and joined at least 80 MPs urging him to quit, while more than 100 others warned against a leadership contest.
2 mins
May 13, 2026
Nottingham Post
Media needs to take a stand against Reform's press bans
AS a journalist, I have always been a huge supporter of democracy.
4 mins
May 13, 2026
Nottingham Post
PAUL WEIGHS UP BOXING FUTURE
BOXING Jake Paul has cast doubt on whether he will ever fight again following the injuries he sustained during his loss to British heavyweight Anthony Joshua last December.
1 mins
May 13, 2026
Nottingham Post
Duckett is loving it at Notts as he's back in groove
BEN HOPING TO PLAY HIS PART IN DEFENCE OF TITLE
2 mins
May 13, 2026
Nottingham Post
Family affair a 'weird feeling'
GOLF Matt Fitzpatrick admits it would be a 'weird feeling' if he and sibling Alex are in contention for this week's US PGA Championship in the 'City of Brotherly Love'.
1 min
May 13, 2026
Nottingham Post
Calocane should not have been discharged to GP care, says doctor
MENTAL HEALTH LEFT 'UNMANAGED AND UNTREATED', INQUIRY HEARS
3 mins
May 13, 2026
Nottingham Post
Rory back in driving seat ahead of PGA
RORY Mcllroy believes he has ‘straightened out’ his wayward driving issues ahead of the US PGA Championship - while also hitting back at critics who took issue with his Masters preparation.
1 mins
May 13, 2026
Nottingham Post
Fears children will go hungry in holidays after voucher scheme is axed
CAMPAIGNERS WANT FREE MEALS LIFELINE FOR FAMILIES REINSTATED
2 mins
May 13, 2026
Nottingham Post
Bridge collapse charges
THE Singapore-based operator of the ship that crashed into Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, in the United States state of Maryland, causing it to collapse and killing six people, has been indicted along with a key employee, US federal prosecutors have said.
2 mins
May 13, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size