Blackpool nets more than £78m in virus bounce back scheme

Businesses in Blackpool’s constituencies have received more than £78m through one of the Government’s main coronavirus loan schemes to help struggling firms.
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But suspected fraud and inability to repay the borrowed money could cost taxpayers across the UK tens of billions, an official National Audit Office report has warned.

Companies in Blackpool’s two parliamentary constituencies had received 3,236 loans worth £78.8m through the Bounce Back Loan Scheme by October 4, the latest government-owned British Business Bank figures show.

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The loan scheme started in April and helps small and medium-sized businesses hit by the pandemic to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000, capped at 25 per cent of their turnover.

Blackpool has been loaned more than £78m in the Bounce Back schemeBlackpool has been loaned more than £78m in the Bounce Back scheme
Blackpool has been loaned more than £78m in the Bounce Back scheme

The Treasury backs the loans, which are handed out by commercial lenders, and borrowers need not pay fees or interest for the first year.

Across the UK, 1.3 million payments worth £38bn had been issued through the BBLS by October 4.

The British Business Bank – which delivers the scheme – and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy estimate that 35 per cent to 60 per cent could fail to repay.

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The NAO said this could lead to a maximum of £26bn in losses if lenders pay out £43bn by November 4. The deadline for applications has been extended to the end of November.

Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said the Government had acted decisively to get cash into businesses’ hands “as quickly as possible”.

He said: “Unfortunately, the cost to the taxpayer has the potential to be very high, if the estimated losses turn out to be correct. Government will need to ensure that robust debt collection and fraud investigation arrangements are in place to minimise the impact to the public purse.”

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, which oversees government spending, will hear evidence about the scheme at a hearing on November 5.

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A National Crime Agency spokesman said its intelligence suggested the BBLS was being exploited by organised criminals. A Government spokesman said the NAO report showed that its loan schemes “have provided a lifeline to thousands of businesses across the UK”.

He added: “Any fraudulent applications can be criminally prosecuted for which penalties include imprisonment.”

A Government spokesman said the NAO report showed that its loan schemes “have provided a lifeline to thousands of businesses across the UK”.

He added: “We targeted this support to help those who need it most as quickly as possible and we won’t apologise for this.

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“We’ve looked to minimise fraud – with lenders implementing a range of protections including anti-money laundering and customer checks, as well as transaction monitoring controls. Any fraudulent applications can be criminally prosecuted for which penalties include imprisonment or a fine or both.”

The Labour Party’s Meg Hillier, chairwoman of the committee, also said the BBLS had been swift in getting cash to firms.

“But the scheme’s hasty launch means criminals may have helped themselves to billions of pounds at the taxpayer’s expense,” she added.