Juggling data silos, privacy and fraud Latest Blog Posts Related Content Covid-19 and the art and science of data visualisation CIO interview: David Walmsley, chief digital and omni-channel officer, Pandora Download Current Issue Among the uncomfortable truths about the government’s response to the pandemic is the fact that some people have and will continue to play the system. At the time it was introduced, the furlough scheme helped many people remain employed, when their workplace was forced to shut due to Covid-19. But it was open to misuse, with a number of businesses making fraudulent claims. In October 2020, the National Audit Office (Nao) published its investigation to the Government’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme. It stated that up to 60% of borrowers may default on the loan scheme, representing a cost to the government of up to £26bn. In the report, the Nao stated: “The Cabinet Office’s Government Counter Fraud Function believes fraud losses are likely to be significantly above the general estimates of public sector fraud levels of 0.5% to 5%.” The extent of the fraud is unlikely to emerge until the loans are due to start being repaid from May 4th, 2021.