Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Ninth Report of Session 2021-22 of the Public Accounts Committee entitled Fraud and Error, HC 253, published on 30 June 2021, if he will take steps to implement the recommendation on introducing a presumption that the business beneficiaries of Government support schemes will be published.

In the Government Response to the Ninth Report of Session 2021-22 of the Public Accounts Committee entitled Fraud and Error, the Government did not agree with the Public Account Committee’s recommendation to introduce a presumption that the business beneficiaries of Government support schemes should be published.

The Government has a duty to protect the personal data and privacy of the smallest businesses in the UK, therefore the Government must exercise discretion on transparency requirements in the case of some business beneficiaries. Details of facilities made available under the COVID-19 loan schemes have been published where required.

We have always been clear that fraud is unacceptable. The Government is taking action against those who have de-frauded the system by working closely with law enforcement, counter-fraud agencies and commercial lenders. The lack of publication has no bearing on the ability of the National Auditing Office to audit support schemes.