UK Covid Pandemic: £11 Billion Lost to Fraud and Error, Maternity Care Review Findings

COVID-19 Financial Support Fraud

• 💰 A report by the COVID Fraud Commissioner found that £10.9 billion was lost to fraud and error across government support schemes during the pandemic.
• 📉 The majority of this sum is considered beyond recovery, with only £1.8 billion having been recovered so far.
• ⚠️ The largest portion of the loss, £5 billion, was attributed to furlough schemes, with employers allegedly keeping staff on payroll while still requiring them to work.
• 💡 The report highlights that schemes were rolled out with immense speed, often in days rather than months, making them vulnerable to fraud.
• 🎯 While schemes like Bounce Back Loans saw significant fraud (£1.7 billion), recovery rates have been low, with only about £70 million recovered.

Maternity Care Review Interim Findings

• 🏥 Baroness Amos, leading a review into maternity care in England, has presented interim findings expressing surprise at the extent of poor care.
• ⚠️ Consistent themes include women not being listened to, particularly regarding reduced fetal movements, and disparities in care for Black and Asian women compared to white women.
• 🗣️ Families report feeling blamed when babies die, and NHS trusts are criticized for not taking appropriate action against staff who have erred.
• 🩺 A key concern raised is the need to address midwifery culture and the