I am pleased to inform the House that the government’s Response to the Final Report of the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, CP 1596, has been laid in Parliament today.

On the 9^th of December 2025 the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner revealed in his final report, Pursuing Recoveries and Preventing Recurrence, CP...

I am pleased to inform the House that the government’s Response to the Final Report of the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, CP 1596, has been laid in Parliament today.

On the 9^th of December 2025 the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner revealed in his final report, Pursuing Recoveries and Preventing Recurrence, CP...

My right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I am pleased to inform the House that the government’s Response to the Final Report of the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, CP 1596, has been laid in Parliament today.

On the 9^th of...

My right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I am pleased to inform the House that the government’s Response to the Final Report of the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, CP 1596, has been laid in Parliament today.

On the 9^th of...

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the Final Report of the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, published on 9 December 2025.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the Final Report of the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, published on 9 December 2025.

This Government are determined to get back all the money that was lost through covid fraud and corruption. That is why I appointed the covid corruption commissioner when I became Chancellor, and we have already brought in £400 million that the previous Government gave up on.

This Government are determined to get back all the money that was lost through covid fraud and corruption. That is why I appointed the covid corruption commissioner when I became Chancellor, and we have already brought in £400 million that the previous Government gave up on.

This Government have recouped £400 million in covid fraud and error, with HMRC recovering a massive £1.3 billion, as well as aggressively pursuing the firm linked to Baroness Mone, PPE Medpro. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this Government’s relentless recovery action demonstrates that it is only under Labour that this money is recovered from fraudsters to do what it should do, which is to fund our public services?

This Government have recouped £400 million in covid fraud and error, with HMRC recovering a massive £1.3 billion, as well as aggressively pursuing the firm linked to Baroness Mone, PPE Medpro. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this Government’s relentless recovery action demonstrates that it is only under Labour that this money is recovered from fraudsters to do what it should do, which is to fund our public services?

Sadly, I cannot comment on any individual cases, but I am absolutely determined to get that money back, because that money belongs in our schools, hospitals and public services, not in the pockets of Tory friends and donors.

Sadly, I cannot comment on any individual cases, but I am absolutely determined to get that money back, because that money belongs in our schools, hospitals and public services, not in the pockets of Tory friends and donors.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the Final Report of the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, published on 9 December 2025.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the Final Report of the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, published on 9 December 2025.

I am pleased to inform the House that the Covid Counter-Fraud Commissioner’s independent review, ‘Pursuing Recoveries and Preventing Reoccurrence,’ CP 1462, has been laid in Parliament today.

The Commissioner, Tom Hayhoe, was appointed in December 2024 to lead this important work over the course of this year. During his time in...

I am pleased to inform the House that the Covid Counter-Fraud Commissioner’s independent review, ‘Pursuing Recoveries and Preventing Reoccurrence,’ CP 1462, has been laid in Parliament today.

The Commissioner, Tom Hayhoe, was appointed in December 2024 to lead this important work over the course of this year. During his time in...

My right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I am pleased to inform the House that the Covid Counter-Fraud Commissioner’s independent review, ‘Pursuing Recoveries and Preventing Reoccurrence,’ CP 1462, has been laid in Parliament today.

The Commissioner, Tom Hayhoe, was appointed...

My right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I am pleased to inform the House that the Covid Counter-Fraud Commissioner’s independent review, ‘Pursuing Recoveries and Preventing Reoccurrence,’ CP 1462, has been laid in Parliament today.

The Commissioner, Tom Hayhoe, was appointed...

My hon. Friend makes a powerful point, and I hope it was heard by those on the Conservative Benches. It is an absolute scandal that failed personal protective equipment contracts were handed out by the Conservatives, costing taxpayers £1.4 billion. We are focused on getting our money back. I can confirm that the commissioner is now investigating fraud involving bounce back and business support loans, and we will continue to go after the fraudsters, grifters and con artists, no matter who they are or where we find them.

My hon. Friend makes a powerful point, and I hope it was heard by those on the Conservative Benches. It is an absolute scandal that failed personal protective equipment contracts were handed out by the Conservatives, costing taxpayers £1.4 billion. We are focused on getting our money back. I can confirm that the commissioner is now investigating fraud involving bounce back and business support loans, and we will continue to go after the fraudsters, grifters and con artists, no matter who they are or where we find them.

Q3

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John Slinger (Rugby) (Lab):

In the light of recent events, will the Prime Minister update the House on the work of the covid corruption commissioner? Does he agree with my constituents in Rugby, Bulkington and the surrounding villages that there should be no place in public life for people who exploited the pandemic and defrauded the taxpayer to line their own pockets?

Q3

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John Slinger (Rugby) (Lab):

In the light of recent events, will the Prime Minister update the House on the work of the covid corruption commissioner? Does he agree with my constituents in Rugby, Bulkington and the surrounding villages that there should be no place in public life for people who exploited the pandemic and defrauded the taxpayer to line their own pockets?

My Lords, Tom Hayhoe has been appointed Covid Counter-Fraud Commissioner. He will use every

means possible to recover public money lost in pandemic-related fraud and ensure that that money is returned to public services. At the end of this year, the commissioner will provide a report, which will be presented to Parliament, outlining his findings on PPE procurement and other areas of Covid fraud, as well as identifying lessons and recommendations for government procurement in the face of future crises.

My Lords, Tom Hayhoe has been appointed Covid Counter-Fraud Commissioner. He will use every

means possible to recover public money lost in pandemic-related fraud and ensure that that money is returned to public services. At the end of this year, the commissioner will provide a report, which will be presented to Parliament, outlining his findings on PPE procurement and other areas of Covid fraud, as well as identifying lessons and recommendations for government procurement in the face of future crises.

I am grateful to my noble friend for his question, and he is absolutely right. We promised that we would act on the fraud and waste that took place during the Covid pandemic. Let us remember that billions of pounds were handed out to friends and donors of the Conservative Party, including a £40 million contract awarded to the then Health Secretary’s local pub landlord. Billions more were defrauded from the taxpayer, and more than £1 billion was spent on PPE that either did not arrive or was not fit for purpose.

On entering government, we found £674 million of contracts in dispute, but we inherited a recommendation from the previous Government that any attempt to reclaim that money should be abandoned. That is unacceptable. The Chancellor has instead put a block on any contract being abandoned or waived until it has been independently reviewed by the commissioner, and she will absolutely ensure that regular reports are given to Parliament, as my noble friend asks, on the progress of that work.

I am grateful to my noble friend for his question, and he is absolutely right. We promised that we would act on the fraud and waste that took place during the Covid pandemic. Let us remember that billions of pounds were handed out to friends and donors of the Conservative Party, including a £40 million contract awarded to the then Health Secretary’s local pub landlord. Billions more were defrauded from the taxpayer, and more than £1 billion was spent on PPE that either did not arrive or was not fit for purpose.

On entering government, we found £674 million of contracts in dispute, but we inherited a recommendation from the previous Government that any attempt to reclaim that money should be abandoned. That is unacceptable. The Chancellor has instead put a block on any contract being abandoned or waived until it has been independently reviewed by the commissioner, and she will absolutely ensure that regular reports are given to Parliament, as my noble friend asks, on the progress of that work.

I am not sure what that has to do with the Question before us, but the Prime Minister and the Minister involved absolutely have set out the circumstances of that case in the letters that they exchanged.

I am not sure what that has to do with the Question before us, but the Prime Minister and the Minister involved absolutely have set out the circumstances of that case in the letters that they exchanged.

My Lords, does the Minister recognise that a key reason why exposing Covid fraud has been so slow and difficult is the inadequacy of whistleblowing protection, which exposes so many whistleblowers to financial ruin and career destruction? The harm is not tackled by the duty of candour, which is important but is not whistleblower protection. Will the Government please deliver urgent reform as a

crucial way not just to solve this problem, but to deter or catch early any kind of future abuse? I recommend to the Minister proposals for an overarching office of the whistleblower.

My Lords, does the Minister recognise that a key reason why exposing Covid fraud has been so slow and difficult is the inadequacy of whistleblowing protection, which exposes so many whistleblowers to financial ruin and career destruction? The harm is not tackled by the duty of candour, which is important but is not whistleblower protection. Will the Government please deliver urgent reform as a

crucial way not just to solve this problem, but to deter or catch early any kind of future abuse? I recommend to the Minister proposals for an overarching office of the whistleblower.