Ipswich MP demands answers over Covid fraud recovery delays in Ipswich
Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich, has questioned why it's taken over four years to address Covid contract fraud that affected local constituents who "sacrificed so much during the pandemic."
Why it matters: The government is now appointing a covid corruption commissioner to investigate fraudulent PPE contracts from the pandemic period, but questions remain about why recovery of millions in public funds has taken so long.
The big picture: The Crown Prosecution Service is working to recover millions in public funds lost to covid-19 related fraud, according to Solicitor General Sarah Sackman.
Yes, but: Abbott challenged the previous government's response time during yesterday's House of Commons debate, highlighting the impact on local residents.
What they're saying: "Four and a half years on from the first lockdown, my constituents in Ipswich, many of whom sacrificed so much during the pandemic, will be wondering why it has taken this long, and a change of Government, to take the issue as seriously as it deserves," Abbott said.
Flashback: In 2021, the then Health Secretary told the Commons that where a contract is not delivered against, "we do not need to pay taxpayers' money," according to an Official Report from 23 February that year.
What's next: A new covid corruption commissioner will be appointed to review and assess all PPE contracts entered into during the pandemic, though no timeline has been specified.
Sources
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