Intentions to recover over £1 billion in fraudulently claimed furlough cash over the next two years have been announced by HMRC.
Since the introduction of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) in March 2020, UK employers have claimed more than £60 billion in furlough funds. As part of the 2021 Budget, it was announced that the CJRS was being extended until 30 September.
Recently published data by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that workers in the hospitality sector were most likely to still be on furlough. At peak use of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), 91% of pub and bar staff were furloughed.
HMRC stated that it intends to launch a handful of criminal investigations into suspected cases of serious CJRS fraud.
A spokesperson for HMRC said: ‘The CJRS has provided a lifeline to millions of people across the UK and fraudulent claims are unacceptable. It is taxpayers’ money and fraud limits our ability to support people and deprives public services of essential funding.
‘We’d ask anyone concerned that an employer might be abusing the scheme, or anyone with information about suspected fraud, to please contact us. All information is assessed and the most appropriate course of action taken.’