Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Spending: Value for Money

Tuesday 1 February 2022 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kate Hollern asked about steps taken to ensure value for money in public spending, focusing on fraud in pandemic support schemes.
  • Kate Hollern raised concerns over the management of public funds during the cost-of-living crisis, demanding accountability for tax rises and wasted funds.
  • Mark Harper welcomed the Chancellor's confirmation that no money is being written off, emphasizing the need for fast and smart decisions to save jobs during the health crisis.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Hollern Lab
Economy Taxation Benefits & Welfare
Context

Concerns about fraud and misuse of funds during the pandemic crisis.

Question

What recent steps has he taken to help ensure value for money in public spending?

Answer from Simon Clarke

Commenting specifically on fraud relating to Government economic support schemes during the pandemic. Anger and frustration shared towards those exploiting schemes for personal gain. Emphasis placed on speed when introducing schemes but commitment to robustly pursue any illegal activities. Recovery efforts established through a £100 million taskforce with over 1,000 employees aimed at recovering losses from fraudulent or incorrect payments expected to amount between £800-1 billion over two years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps taken by the minister but acknowledged ongoing efforts and frustration towards fraud.

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Q2 Kate Hollern Lab
Economy Taxation
Context

People in Blackburn concerned about cost of living, tax rises, and misuse of taxpayers' money.

Question

Welcomes the Minister's response but raises concerns about the Government's management of public funds during the cost-of-living crisis. Highlights tax rises affecting workers and businesses while billions wasted on contracts, fraud, outsourcing; demands accountability for such mismanagement.

Answer from Simon Clarke

Acknowledges the hon. Lady's question and agreement on pursuing fraud whenever it occurs. Emphasizes establishment of a £100 million taskforce with over 1,000 employees designed to recover fraudulent or incorrect payments; HMRC has already recovered and prevented £743 million-worth of loss; expects recovery of £800-1 billion over two years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Addressed the need to pursue fraud but did not directly address tax rise or acceptance of accountability for misuse of public funds.

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Q3 Mark Harper Con
Economy Taxation Employment
Context

Context of rapid roll-out of bounce back loans and furlough scheme during the pandemic to protect jobs.

Question

Welcomes Chancellor's confirmation that no money is being written off but points out the necessity of fast, smart decisions to save thousands of jobs; reminds of context where businesses needed support due to constraints imposed by health crisis.

Answer from Simon Clarke

Agrees with the right hon. Friend's point on remembering the economic situation as a result of public health measures; notes that the shadow Chancellor had written to the Chancellor at the time, describing the loan scheme application process as cumbersome and calling for easier access.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Addressed context but did not provide specific steps or commitments beyond acknowledging constraints and previous communications.

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Q4 Abena Oppong-Asare Lab Erith and Thamesmead
Economy Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

Comparison of handling of fraud by Government versus private sector; reference to loss of £4 billion due to fraud.

Question

Questions what would happen to an employee in the private sector losing over £4 billion and ignoring warnings; asks if such a person would be promoted or sacked?

Answer from Simon Clarke

Running Government of the UK with response at speed to public health emergency; provision of £400 billion support prevented worst-case scenario including mass unemployment and company closures. Balance struck between providing support and implementing protections for taxpayer interest; going after anyone who defrauded Exchequer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Addressed context but did not directly address the comparison to private sector or potential consequences for mismanagement.

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