Member

65: After Clause 63, insert the following new Clause— “Report on public sector fraud during COVID-19 pandemic(1) The Minister for the Cabinet Office must, within six months of the passing of this Act, lay before Parliament a report evaluating the extent of public sector fraud that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.(2) The report must include—(a) an account of fraudulent or erroneous payments made by or on behalf of public authorities, including but not limited to the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England,(b) a review of how public procurement practices in place between March 2020 and December 2021, including—(i) the use of high priority and expedited contracting for suppliers, and(ii) the role of political appointments and personal connections in procurement decisions, may have contributed to fraud against public authorities,(c) the cost to the public purse of fraud against public authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and(d) an assessment of the adequacy of Government oversight and other measures then in place to prevent fraud against public authorities.(3) Where the report finds or concludes that there were—(a) failings in Government oversight and other measures then in place to prevent fraud against public authorities, or(b) any action or inaction by the Government which enabled fraud against public authorities,the Minister must make a statement to the House of Commons acknowledging these findings and setting out actions planned to ensure any failings are not repeated.”