The Conservative Government’s decision to write off over £4 billion of Covid fraud is “almost beyond belief”, according to Calderdale Council Labour leader Tim Swift.

The amount written off is equivalent to over £150 per household nationally – or £14.5m in Calderdale alone.

Cllr Swift said:

“Families in Calderdale are facing a cost of living crisis – thanks in no small part to this government. The Conservatives are the party of high tax because they are the party of low growth. That means higher National Insurance, cuts to support for working families, and they want every council in the country to raise council tax as well.

“Now we know that while they are hammering people in Calderdale with higher tax and lower support they are – at the very same time – happy to write off more than £4bn in fraud. That’s about £14.5 million across Calderdale  – it’s nothing short of outrageous.

“Whether it is lockdown parties in Downing Street or raising taxes for us while fraudsters get off scot free – this Conservative Government are taking us for fools.”

Labour’s Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said,

“While prices soar, billions in hard-earned taxpayer cash has been frittered away by fraud — and the chancellor is happy to shrug his shoulders and lose it forever.

“Labour will treat every pound of taxpayers’ money with the respect it deserves. Government should be able to get money to the right places, without losing billions in taxpayers’ cash.”