Those who still owe Covid scheme money to the public purse have been given a time-limited opportunity to pay it back before tougher sanctions apply.
A voluntary repayment scheme will provide Covid scheme recipients with a ‘no questions asked’ window to repay outstanding money they were not entitled to or did not need.
The move comes as the UK government continues to do everything in its power to recoup money lost to Covid fraud.
Individuals who don’t take this last chance to come forward and repay any outstanding money could face prosecution when the government receives additional investigatory powers next year.
A Covid fraud reporting website is also being launched to allow members of the public to report suspected fraud.
Changes to how director disqualification works could also see more people stopped from being involved in businesses, or facing compensation orders.
All Covid schemes, including loans, grants, social security and tax benefits fall under the voluntary repayment scheme.
The way you repay depends on the scheme you used:
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
- Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
- Eat Out to Help Out Scheme (email eohovoluntaryrepayments@hmrc.gov.uk)
- Cultural Recovery Fund (email compliance@dcms.gov.uk
- Business support grants (email businessgrantsassurance@businessandtrade.gov.uk)
- Grants from the Department for Health & Social Care (email GeneralGrantQueries@dhsc.gov.uk)
- COVID-19 Business Loan Guarantee Schemes, e.g. Bounce Back Loan (contact your lender directly)
This specifically relates to UK Government Covid support schemes.
For further information please select the following link: Covid repayment window opens - GOV.UK