Billions of pounds lost to Covid fraud and error under the Tories is unlikely ever to be recovered, a damning report reveals . Covid counter-fraud commissioner Tom Hayhoe found £10.9billion was lost to the taxpayer during the pandemic as fraudsters exploited schemes like furlough, bounce-back loans, Eat Out to Help Out and one-off grants. ‌

Some £1.8bn has been clawed back but much of the shortfall is now beyond recovery , Mr Hayhoe warned. The £10.9bn bill is close to the annual cost of running the justice system. It could also fund free school meals for 2.7 million eligible kids for eight years. ‌

Mr Hayhoe said the then Conservative government – led by Boris Johnson, with his chancellor Rishi Sunak heavily promoting his Eat Out to Help Out – paid too little attention to the

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