HMRC struggles to recover billions in overpaid Covid-19 support and tax debts
22 Nov 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants

HMRC struggles to recover billions in overpaid Covid-19 support and tax debts

Taskforce likely to recover minority of support paid in error and fraud as NAO says department needs to increase its debt recovery capacity
by CSW staff
HMRC expects to recoup only a quarter of £6bn lost to Covid fraud and error
18 Jan Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
HMRC expects to recoup only a quarter of £6bn lost to Covid fraud and error
CMA chief exec announces plan to step down
10 Jan Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
CMA chief exec announces plan to step down
Jim Harra: ‘Balancing HMRC’s priorities in 2021 felt like a high wire act’
29 Dec 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Jim Harra: ‘Balancing HMRC’s priorities in 2021 felt like a high wire act’
'The last couple of years have had a science fiction feel': Gareth Davies on the NAO's Covid scrutiny and trials of remote work
03 Jan Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
'The last couple of years have had a science fiction feel': Gareth Davies on the NAO's Covid scrutiny and trials of remote work
2020 may have been a year like no other, but 2021 was a chip off the old block and relentless from day one. The National Audit Office boss tells us about 12 more months of dealing with Covid while pushing ahead with new challenges
National Crime Agency offers £223k for next DG
12 Dec 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
National Crime Agency offers £223k for next DG
Law-enforcement body launches recruitment drive for permanent successor to Lynne Owens
Anti-fraud checks on Covid loans 'inadequate', watchdog finds
03 Dec 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Anti-fraud checks on Covid loans 'inadequate', watchdog finds
Most measures were introduced "too late" to stop fraud, with focus on prevention
Pandemic-driven flexible working progress saves hundreds of HMRC jobs
05 Nov 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Pandemic-driven flexible working progress saves hundreds of HMRC jobs
But department’s annual report estimates fraud in Covid support schemes topped £6bn in 2020-21
'Unfair' to criticise sky-high spending on Covid schemes, Sunak says
02 Nov 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
'Unfair' to criticise sky-high spending on Covid schemes, Sunak says
Chancellor defends £37bn spent on test and trace scheme and cost of furlough fraud
‘The vast majority have been thwarted’: minister praises DWP's fraud response
25 Aug 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
‘The vast majority have been thwarted’: minister praises DWP's fraud response
Will Quince claims Universal Credit system has ‘coped remarkably well: with challenges
NAO sounds alarm over DWP’s ‘record high’ fraud and error rates
20 Jul 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
NAO sounds alarm over DWP’s ‘record high’ fraud and error rates
Watchdog says department accepts pandemic response means overpayments will “remain significantly higher than normal for some time”
DWP 'stopped large attack' from organised crime during Universal Credit surge
14 Jul 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
DWP 'stopped large attack' from organised crime during Universal Credit surge
As the department processed 4.3 million new claims, fraudsters attempted to cash in
Fraud and error in Covid support schemes 'will cost taxpayer tens of billions'
30 Jun 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Fraud and error in Covid support schemes 'will cost taxpayer tens of billions'
Departments' efforts to detect fraud 'hindered by a lack of real-time data sharing and weak transparency arrangements', MPs say
HMRC offers £100k for new Fraud Investigation Service post
10 Feb 2021 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
HMRC offers £100k for new Fraud Investigation Service post
Head of operations will oversee modernisation of capabilities to tackle serious fraud
HMRC 'could have done more' to prevent furlough fraud, NAO says
26 Oct 2020 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
HMRC 'could have done more' to prevent furlough fraud, NAO says
Watchdog also urges tax agency to ensure fewer people miss out on support under future schemes
Companies House unveils clampdown on identity fraud among reforms
21 Sep 2020 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Companies House unveils clampdown on identity fraud among reforms
BEIS executive agency to bar appointment of directors until verification checks are performed
HMRC targets furlough fraudsters after up to £3.5bn wrongly paid out via scheme
08 Sep 2020 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
HMRC targets furlough fraudsters after up to £3.5bn wrongly paid out via scheme
Perm sec Jim Harra tells MPs the scheme's fraud and error rate "could be between 5% and 10%" of £35.4bn bill
Crooks hijack Government Legal Department's phone number
25 Aug 2020 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Crooks hijack Government Legal Department's phone number
GLD issues warning about enquiry number showing up on calls from fraudsters
DWP to overhaul complaints procedure
02 Jul 2020 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
DWP to overhaul complaints procedure
"Non-priority" complaints will result in letters to "manage customers' expectations", department says
Department issues final call for candidates to be next MHRA chair
03 Apr 2020 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Department issues final call for candidates to be next MHRA chair

Medicines and healthcare products regulator offers £63k for part-time successor to Michael Rawlins
DWP hit by up to £221m in fraudulent claims for Universal Credit advances
24 Mar 2020 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
DWP hit by up to £221m in fraudulent claims for Universal Credit advances

Online drive blamed for tens of thousands of potentially bogus requests, says National Audit Office
Cash-for-ash report paints devastating picture of NICS failings
15 Mar 2020 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Cash-for-ash report paints devastating picture of NICS failings

Scandal-hit Renewable Heat Incentive scheme was “project too far” for Northern Ireland officials
Eric Pickles poised to become chair of watchdog Acoba
12 Mar 2020 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Eric Pickles poised to become chair of watchdog Acoba

MPs to grill former communities secretary who is government’s preferred choice to lead anti-corruption panel
HMRC boss blasts MPs who claimed fraud update was ‘misleading’
05 Mar 2020 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
HMRC boss blasts MPs who claimed fraud update was ‘misleading’

Jim Harra ‘strongly rejects’ criticism from Ed Davey’s APPG on the controversial Loan Charge
New PACAC chair urged to lead ‘forensic scrutiny’ of Cummings’s reform agenda
30 Jan 2020 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
New PACAC chair urged to lead ‘forensic scrutiny’ of Cummings’s reform agenda

Think-tank points to Cummings’ civil service reform agenda and debate on the union as key work areas
Ministry of Justice staffer jailed for £1.7m fraud
09 Jan 2020 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Ministry of Justice staffer jailed for £1.7m fraud

Manager set up monthly payments to his own business for made-up IT services contract
Cabinet secretary ‘voiced security fears' over Rory Bremner’s impersonation of John Major
03 Jan 2020 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Cabinet secretary ‘voiced security fears' over Rory Bremner’s impersonation of John Major

Robin Butler suggested impressionist could trick chancellor into revealing budget details amid wave of spoof calls, former Channel 4 boss recalls
Loan charge review: former NAO chief condemns abuse of HMRC officials
23 Dec 2019 Fraud, Error Debt & Grants
Loan charge review: former NAO chief condemns abuse of HMRC officials

Morse’s recommendation to cut ten years from controversial claw-back window accepted by the Treasury