The chancellor has announced a new fraud squad made up of analytics experts and economic crime investigators to “crack down on criminal gangs” stealing taxpayer money.

The £25 million central government taskforce, based in the Cabinet Office, is set to be operational by the summer.

Experts in data analytics and economic crime investigation will be recruited to help recover money stolen from Covid support schemes and “spot suspicious companies and people seeking government contracts”.

Mandatory inspections on Whitehall programmes will also be carried out by counter fraud experts to unearth any vulnerabilities.

“We will chase down fraudsters who rip off the taxpayer,” said chancellor Rishi Sunak. “This elite fraud squad, backed by £25 million, will ensure the latest counter fraud techniques are being used to track down these criminals.

“People are rightly furious that fraudsters took advantage of our vital Covid support schemes, and we are acting to make sure they pay the price.”

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