Labour government to create Covid corruption commissioner to recoup lost billions

In her speech at the party’s conference later today (9 October), shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves is going to announce the new commissioner would be given the power to bring together public agencies including HMRC, the Serious Fraud Office and the National Crime Agency to pursue at least £2.6bn of “lost” public funds.  

They would examine contract line by line and would have to update parliament on their progress in clawing back the money. 

First announced in The Guardian, she will also reveal that Labour would review sentencing on fraud and corruption conducted against UK public services – as well as reform public procurement rules to include a strong “debarment and exclusion” regime.

Additionally, there would be more robust oversight of public grant and loan schemes with counter-fraud experts, data management and analytics all involved to prevent financial losses.  

Reeves will say: “We will appoint a Covid corruption commissioner equipped with powers they need and the mandate to do what it takes to chase those who have ripped off the taxpayer, taking them to court and clawing back every penny of taxpayers’ money that they can.

“That money belongs in our NHS, it belongs in our schools, it belongs in our police and conference – we want that money back.”