Forty-Fifth Report - Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Annual Report and Accounts 2021–22
Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee
HC 1254
26 April 2023
Recommendations
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Conclusions (2) Observations and findings — click to expand
8
Conclusion
Deferred
The Department estimated fraud and error levels of £985 million were contained in the £11.7 billion grant funding provided for the first wave of business support grant schemes (Small Business Grant Fund; Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund; and Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund). The estimated fraud and error in …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observations but states that recovery of irregular payments for early grant schemes is largely unrealistic. It has initiated a review by a Non-Executive Director into ongoing assurance, reconciliation, and recovery activity, with a target conclusion by Summer/early Autumn 2023, but does not address the point about disaggregating fraud and error estimates.
9
Conclusion
Deferred
Of the £985 million estimate of fraud and error for the first wave of business support grant schemes, the Department has recovered £5.3 million through NATIS and local authorities.16 This represents 0.7% of the fraud and error estimate. The Department explained that it will further refine the fraud and error …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's concern but states that recovery for many irregular payments is unrealistic due to various factors. It has initiated a review by a Non-Executive Director into assurance, reconciliation, and recovery activity, expected to conclude by Summer/early Autumn 2023.