Lord Agnew resigns in anger over Covid fraud

[Bulletguy]

 

He's not holding back on his fury either! 8-)

 

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60117513

[CurtainRaiser]

The same Lord Agnew that put forward multiple companies to the VIP line for PPE contracts?

 

That Lord Agnew tendering his resignation over Covid fraud may be the only honest tender this government has ever received in respect of Covid

[John52]

Why has he waited till now to resign?

Might have something to do with Labour asking him awkward questions?

Johnson ready to sacrifice him?

I expect Johnson will get Sue Grey to do another 'report' *-)

[Bulletguy]

John52 - 2022-01-24 5:45 PM

 

Why has he waited till now to resign?

Might have something to do with Labour asking him awkward questions?

Johnson ready to sacrifice him?

I expect Johnson will get Sue Grey to do another 'report' *-)

Probably chosen that route before getting thrown under the bus.

[Bulletguy]

CurtainRaiser - 2022-01-24 4:52 PM

 

The same Lord Agnew that put forward multiple companies to the VIP line for PPE contracts?

 

That Lord Agnew tendering his resignation over Covid fraud may be the only honest tender this government has ever received in respect of Covid

It does beg the question as to why the Treasury have seen fit to write off £4.3 billion in fraud though.

[John52]

Over 1,000 bounceback loans were given to scammers who weren't even trading at the start of the pandemic.

Government guaranteed it 100% so the banks had no incentive to check applications, and have no incentive to recover the money from fraudsters.

Why was it not obvious from the start this would happen?

And who is daft enough to believe the tax increases to start paying for it (which don't even scratch the surface) are really a 'health and social care levy' *-)

[John52]

Bulletguy - 2022-01-24 6:03 PM

It does beg the question as to why the Treasury have seen fit to write off £4.3 billion in fraud though.

 

They don't even know who they have given it to or where its gone.

Trying to pursue it would keep it in the news.

So they take us into conflict with Russia to change the subject. >:-)

[Guest pelmetman]

As per usual the Chimps are blaming Boris rather than the incompetent Civil Service *-) .........

 

 

[John52]

pelmetman - 2022-01-25 8:42 AM

 

As per usual the Chimps are blaming Boris rather than the incompetent Civil Service *-) .........

 

 

Who appoints the 'Civil Service' *-)

[John52]

John52 - 2022-01-25 8:46 AM

 

pelmetman - 2022-01-25 8:42 AM

 

As per usual the Chimps are blaming Boris rather than the incompetent Civil Service *-) .........

 

 

Who appoints the 'Civil Service' *-)

 

Dave?

I'm talking about the 'Civil Service' like Sunak who introduced the scheme

Not the Civil Servants who warned against it

As if it was necessary to warn what would happen when the taxpayer underwrites the loans 100%

Leaving no incentive for the lenders to check the applications or recover stolen money

For all we know Sunak and Johnson could have made the claims and had it away with our money themselves because identities weren't even checked.

[John52]

The writer was UK minister for efficiency and transformation

This is his letter to the FT

 

On Monday, I took the difficult decision to resign as a government minister in a slightly controversial way.

 

It was a decision not taken lightly. In four and a half years as minister for efficiency and transformation in the Treasury and Cabinet Office, I have rarely been in the public gaze. But the failure of government in tackling fraud is, I believe, so egregious and the need for remedy so urgent that, in the end, I felt the only option was to smash some crockery to get people to take notice.

 

On Monday, I took the difficult decision to resign as a government minister in a slightly controversial way.

 

Fraud in government is rampant. Public estimates sit at just under £30bn a year. There is a complete lack of focus on the cost to society, or indeed the taxpayer.

 

The rapid roll out of the government’s bounce-back loan scheme was an important and successful intervention to protect the productive capacity of our economy in the worst peacetime crisis since the second world war. But the cack-handed implementation and catastrophic follow-through is costing us probably hundreds of millions of pounds a month.

 

Repeatedly over the past 18 months, I have tried in my role as minister for counter-fraud to bring some focus to this issue. In life one should try to stay in the tent to win the arguments for as long as possible. But ultimately there comes a breaking point.

 

In this case the lack of grip by the British Business Bank and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to manage the syndicate banks properly is indefensible. An avalanche of claims on the 100 per cent state guarantee has already started. But they have failed to implement either rigour or clarity in how they are paid out.

 

People follow incentives, and if the incentives to pursue fraud are weak, that is what the outcome will be.

 

Watch now for an outpouring of defensiveness and lists of inputted activity over the past 18 months. But then look at the outcomes — levels of fraud as a multiple of what should be happening.

 

The reason I have decided to speak out now is that there is still time to instil some discipline to avert even more loss.

 

The failure is not just political. The government machine has failed spectacularly both in the business department in its weak oversight of the British Business Bank and in the Treasury for allowing such dysfunctionality to continue on such a colossal scale (£47bn of bounce back loans have been advanced).

 

Beyond that, the safety mechanisms of the National Audit Office, House of Commons public accounts committee and select committees have all failed to embarrass the system into action.

 

At least three things must happen quickly. First, no more payouts should be made on the state guarantee until there is clarity on the work banks are doing to tackle fraud.

 

Second, there should be no more grant, loan or state assistance packages without pre-clearance by counter-fraud experts (this would delay things by about five days — just so we kill off the excuse that this would be unduly time-consuming).

 

Finally, and in the longer term, an economic crime bill to fill the regulatory gaps should be presented to parliament. This was foolishly rejected last week as a candidate bill for the next parliamentary session.

 

If my departure and bid for pariah status moves the machine to action, it will have been worth it.

 

[malc d]

According to Dave, anything that goes well under his watch, such as the brilliant roll out of vaccinations by the NHS, are all the work of Boris Johnson.

 

Anything that goes badly under his watch, is someone elses fault and nothing to do with him.

 

 

:-|

[John52]

Why are they allowing this unless they are lining their own pockets with it?

[Brian Kirby]

pelmetman - 2022-01-25 8:42 AM

As per usual the Chimps are blaming Boris rather than the incompetent Civil Service *-) .........

Dave, as you consider your self something of a patriot, isn't it time you learnt how the country of which you are so proud actually works?

 

We have one of, many would say the, finest civil service in the world. Its task is to carry out the policies adopted by the government of the day without, as they say, fear or favour - in doing which they advise the ministers on the feasibility and practicality of their policies.

 

In the final analysis the cabinet decides policy and, once decided, the task of the civil service is to execute it to the best of their ability and to the satisfaction of the minister. Where they fall short, it is usual for senior civil servants, and sometimes ministers, to go.

 

The various ministers are appointed by the Prime Minister who, in turn, is selected by their political party as its leader.

 

When a party wins a majority of the seats in the HoC in a general election, its leader automatically becomes Prime Minister.

 

So, if a party elects a clown as its leader, and the electorate elects sufficient of their candidates as MPs, and the clown selects ministers in his/her own mould to cabinet positions, then the civil service will be led by clowns and will be disadvantaged accordingly. The fish, as they say, rots from the head.

 

So, who selected the clown as a candidate for election as their MP? Who then elected that candidate to be their MP? Who then selected the clown to be leader of their party? Who then elected more of that party's candidates to be MPs than all other party's candidates - and in so doing made the clown Prime Minister?

 

If you answer all the above questions honestly you will see that in all cases the underlying reason for the generally poor performance of government since 2019 is .....................................

 

 

 

 

shock!

 

 

 

 

pifflefafflewifflewaffle

 

 

 

 

horror!

 

 

 

 

pifflefafflewifflewaffle

 

 

 

 

 

you! (lol) (lol) (lol) (lol) (lol)

[John52]

As I understand it

The DWP have over 4,000 full time investigators to investigate Benefit Fraud

And a national campaign to ring a freephone hotline to report it

(encouraging anonymous malicious calls and innocent claimants hounded and having their benefits stopped leaving them destitute)

Yet for Covid Fraud there are only 2 investigators

Who have nothing to go on because Loans were given out without basic checks.

[Bulletguy]

malc d - 2022-01-25 12:11 PM

 

According to Dave, anything that goes well under his watch, such as the brilliant roll out of vaccinations by the NHS, are all the work of Boris Johnson.

 

Anything that goes badly under his watch, is someone elses fault and nothing to do with him.

 

 

:-|

He has an unhealthy infatuation with Johnson, akin to a 'crush' some kids had on their favourite school teacher but as Pelmet never went to school, I can only think he's regressing to the school days he never had and sees Johnson as his teacher. He probably fantasises about Johnson spanking him.

 

For a man allegedly in his early 60s his behaviour is utterly bizarre and quite concerning. :-S

[Bulletguy]

Brian Kirby - 2022-01-25 12:14 PM

 

pelmetman - 2022-01-25 8:42 AM

As per usual the Chimps are blaming Boris rather than the incompetent Civil Service *-) .........

Dave, as you consider your self something of a patriot, isn't it time you learnt how the country of which you are so proud actually works?

 

We have one of, many would say the, finest civil service in the world. Its task is to carry out the policies adopted by the government of the day without, as they say, fear or favour - in doing which they advise the ministers on the feasibility and practicality of their policies.

 

In the final analysis the cabinet decides policy and, once decided, the task of the civil service is to execute it to the best of their ability and to the satisfaction of the minister. Where they fall short, it is usual for senior civil servants, and sometimes ministers, to go.

 

The various ministers are appointed by the Prime Minister who, in turn, is selected by their political party as its leader.

 

When a party wins a majority of the seats in the HoC in a general election, its leader automatically becomes Prime Minister.

 

So, if a party elects a clown as its leader, and the electorate elects sufficient of their candidates as MPs, and the clown selects ministers in his/her own mould to cabinet positions, then the civil service will be led by clowns and will be disadvantaged accordingly. The fish, as they say, rots from the head.

 

So, who selected the clown as a candidate for election as their MP? Who then elected that candidate to be their MP? Who then selected the clown to be leader of their party? Who then elected more of that party's candidates to be MPs than all other party's candidates - and in so doing made the clown Prime Minister?

 

If you answer all the above questions honestly you will see that in all cases the underlying reason for the generally poor performance of government since 2019 is .....................................

 

 

 

 

shock!

 

 

 

 

pifflefafflewifflewaffle

 

 

 

 

horror!

 

 

 

 

pifflefafflewifflewaffle

 

 

 

 

 

you! (lol) (lol) (lol) (lol) (lol)

He hates the Civil Service as his wife never made it beyond being a typist for the Inland Revenue. :-|

[John52]

From the FT;

 

A judge has demanded an explanation for how a “ringleader” in an organised criminal gang who had 48 previous criminal convictions managed to obtain a £50,000 government Covid bounceback loan.

 

Judge Anthony Cross QC, sentencing six men at Manchester Crown Court for their part in a conspiracy to steal and export expensive cars, said on Thursday it “defies belief” that defendant Asif Hussain, 44, managed to apply successfully for the state-backed loan despite his lengthy criminal record.

 

The case underscores the extent to which organised criminal gangs have been able to exploit weaknesses in the UK government’s coronavirus bounceback loans scheme.

.......Hussain played a leading role in an organised criminal gang in the north west of England that stole cars, such as Range Rovers and Porsches, stripping them down for parts or export for sale in the Middle East.

 

Many of the cars were stolen in “horrific” night-time burglaries from “terrified” victims’ homes before being supplied to the gang, Manchester Crown Court heard on Thursday.

 

Hussain, who lived in a large detached house in Stockport, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to four offences including conspiracy to steal and fraud on the bounceback loan.

 

He made a £50,000 written application for a loan in May 2020 and received the money to his bogus company just seven days later, the court heard.

 

Jailing Hussain for a total of 15 years, Judge Cross told him: “You have a bad record, including a sentence of four years for the supply of drugs. You have a total of 48 previous offences for dishonesty and other offences. That such a man as you was able to obtain a Covid loan defies belief.”

 

He added: “That a criminal such as you could obtain such a huge sum is staggering.”

Ibraaz Shafique, 23, from Oldham in Greater Manchester, was another of the six defendants sentenced in relation to the criminal conspiracy on Thursday. He received a five-year jail term after admitting five offences, including over two Covid bounceback loans he obtained worth £95,000.

 

Launched by Rishi Sunak, chancellor of the exchequer, in May 2020, the scheme was designed to provide up to £50,000 of cash to companies struggling during the pandemic.

 

After his sentencing on Thursday, Judge Cross told prosecutors that it was the second case within months he had dealt with where a criminal gang had been able to obtain “huge sums of money” from the bounceback loan scheme.

 

In November, the same judge demanded to know how a member of a Manchester drug gang had managed to obtain a £25,000 bounceback loan.

 

“The public are entitled to an explanation of how these loans were obtained. That explanation must be made public,” the judge said.

 

[John52]

I think its pretty obvious there has been no real checks before handing out the money.

But then when its 100% guaranteed by the taxpayer why would the banks care who pays it back?

Previous schemes have only guaranteed part of the loan so the banks had an incentive to check claimants and pursue fraud.

But now they appear to have no incentive at all?

[Bulletguy]

John52 - 2022-01-25 8:26 PM

 

From the FT;

 

A judge has demanded an explanation for how a “ringleader” in an organised criminal gang who had 48 previous criminal convictions managed to obtain a £50,000 government Covid bounceback loan.

 

In November, the same judge demanded to know how a member of a Manchester drug gang had managed to obtain a £25,000 bounceback loan.

 

“The public are entitled to an explanation of how these loans were obtained. That explanation must be made public,” the judge said.

And he requires that explanation "within 14 days". As he said, basic checks would have shown they were committing fraud.

 

It's been an open door for various miscreants to steal but they have no moral compass and care not a jot. They seem to find it amusing.

 

https://tinyurl.com/2p8h2f74

 

This pair were part of a bigger gang thieving high end cars and thats how they got caught.

 

https://tinyurl.com/3tz7brkb

[John52]

Since there were obviously no proper id checks for all we know Johnson could have claimed a covid loan himself.

[Guest pelmetman]

Brian Kirby - 2022-01-25 12:14 PM

 

pelmetman - 2022-01-25 8:42 AM

As per usual the Chimps are blaming Boris rather than the incompetent Civil Service *-) .........

Dave, as you consider your self something of a patriot, isn't it time you learnt how the country of which you are so proud actually works?

 

We have one of, many would say the, finest civil service in the world. Its task is to carry out the policies adopted by the government of the day without, as they say, fear or favour - in doing which they advise the ministers on the feasibility and practicality of their policies.

 

Those many are frankly talking out of their backsides *-) ...........

 

Much like yourself >:-) ........

[Brian Kirby]

pelmetman - 2022-01-26 9:20 AM

 

Brian Kirby - 2022-01-25 12:14 PM

 

pelmetman - 2022-01-25 8:42 AM

As per usual the Chimps are blaming Boris rather than the incompetent Civil Service *-) .........

Dave, as you consider your self something of a patriot, isn't it time you learnt how the country of which you are so proud actually works?

 

We have one of, many would say the, finest civil service in the world. Its task is to carry out the policies adopted by the government of the day without, as they say, fear or favour - in doing which they advise the ministers on the feasibility and practicality of their policies.

Those many are frankly talking out of their backsides *-) ...........

Much like yourself >:-) ........

Having, to the best of my knowledge, not yet mastered the art of rectal vocalising, I'll bow to your superior knowledge.

 

However, it would be helpful to know what, in the above statement is, factually, inaccurate - just so you can prove your point. No evidence, no win. :-D Over! (lol) (lol)

[Guest pelmetman]

Brian Kirby - 2022-01-26 12:56 PM

 

pelmetman - 2022-01-26 9:20 AM

 

Brian Kirby - 2022-01-25 12:14 PM

 

pelmetman - 2022-01-25 8:42 AM

As per usual the Chimps are blaming Boris rather than the incompetent Civil Service *-) .........

Dave, as you consider your self something of a patriot, isn't it time you learnt how the country of which you are so proud actually works?

 

We have one of, many would say the, finest civil service in the world. Its task is to carry out the policies adopted by the government of the day without, as they say, fear or favour - in doing which they advise the ministers on the feasibility and practicality of their policies.

Those many are frankly talking out of their backsides *-) ...........

Much like yourself >:-) ........

Having, to the best of my knowledge, not yet mastered the art of rectal vocalising, I'll bow to your superior knowledge.

 

However, it would be helpful to know what, in the above statement is, factually, inaccurate - just so you can prove your point. No evidence, no win. :-D Over! (lol) (lol)

 

Well seeing as its you who appears to claim that our civil service is the finest in the world ;-) ........

 

Its incumbent on YOU to provide evidence to back up your claim >:-) ...........

 

I look forward to seeing your winning evidence >:-) ..........

 

 

[Brian Kirby]

pelmetman - 2022-01-26 1:55 PM

Brian Kirby - 2022-01-26 12:56 PM

pelmetman - 2022-01-26 9:20 AM

Brian Kirby - 2022-01-25 12:14 PM

pelmetman - 2022-01-25 8:42 AM

As per usual the Chimps are blaming Boris rather than the incompetent Civil Service *-) .........

Dave, as you consider your self something of a patriot, isn't it time you learnt how the country of which you are so proud actually works?

We have one of, many would say the, finest civil service in the world. Its task is to carry out the policies adopted by the government of the day without, as they say, fear or favour - in doing which they advise the ministers on the feasibility and practicality of their policies.

Those many are frankly talking out of their backsides *-) ...........

Much like yourself >:-) ........

Having, to the best of my knowledge, not yet mastered the art of rectal vocalising, I'll bow to your superior knowledge.

However, it would be helpful to know what, in the above statement is, factually, inaccurate - just so you can prove your point. No evidence, no win. :-D Over! (lol) (lol)

Well seeing as its you who appears to claim that our civil service is the finest in the world ;-) ........

Its incumbent on YOU to provide evidence to back up your claim >:-) ...........

I look forward to seeing your winning evidence >:-) ..........

Three things.

 

First: accuracy - I made no such claim. It's that reading thing again! :-D I said, "we have one of, many would say the, finest civil service in the world". Not at all what you are claiming I said. Bit daft that, since you included my actual words in your post! :-D

 

Second: it is, I believe, widely acknowledged as such internationally, and I have not seen that seriously questioned.

 

Third: it your claim that it is not, so which other country's else's civil service are you going to put forward as superior? No country, no win! (lol) (lol)