Covid-19: Government aims to appoint corruption tsar within weeks

The UK chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will appoint a covid corruption commissioner within weeks to oversee the task of recouping billions of pounds lost to contract fraud during the covid pandemic.The move follows a pledge in the Labour Party’s election manifesto to use “every means possible” to recoup public money lost from fraud and in flawed contracts signed by the previous government.12The Conservative government was heavily criticised for its lack of oversight on the deals it agreed during the pandemic, including setting up the so called “VIP lane” that bypassed usual procurement routes and gave priority treatment to suppliers of personal protective equipment (PPE) who were referred by MPs, ministers, or civil servants.34Working with HMRC, the Serious Fraud Office, and the National Crime Agency, the new commissioner will examine an estimated £7.6bn worth of covid related fraud, covering areas including PPE contracts, business loans and grants, and incorrectly claimed furlough.The Treasury…
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