This inquiry continues our work on government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This inquiry focuses on the NAO’s report on the Bounce Back Loan Scheme: its purpose; how it functions; how it has performed to date; and how government manages the associated value for money risks – including the potential for fraud and abuse of the scheme, and the risk of default on the loans, which are 100% backed by the taxpayer.
In early November we will question senior officials at HMT Treasury, the Department for Business, and the British Business Bank.
We are now calling for evidence from key stakeholders such as businesses – large or small – that applied for the scheme, and the accredited lenders that promote and implement the scheme.
If you have evidence or concerns about the operation of this scheme and the value for money it represents, please submit it here by Thursday 29 October.