Final chance to repay overclaimed Covid support
The Government has launched a new voluntary repayment scheme, giving individuals and businesses until December 2025 to repay funds they received from Covid support schemes that they were not entitled to.
This scheme is part of the government’s wider crackdown on Covid related fraud. Over £10 billion has been lost to Covid fraud, but only £1.54 billion has been recovered so far. HM Treasury has made it clear that this is the last chance to come forward voluntarily before tougher sanctions are introduced in 2026, which could include prosecution once the new investigatory powers are in place.
What schemes are covered?
The voluntary repayment scheme covers all Covid schemes, including:
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
- Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
- Eat Out to Help Out
- Cultural Recovery Fund
- Business support grants
- Covid-19 business loans (e.g., Bounce Back Loans)
- Grants from the Department for Health & Social Care
- Any other Covid-related grants, loans, or benefits
How to repay?
The method of repayment depends on the scheme used. The government’s Make a Voluntary Repayment of COVID-19 Funding guidance provides details on how to repay and further guidance on each Covid support scheme.
A new Covid fraud reporting service has also been launched for public to report suspected Covid scheme fraud.