MPs have warned that unresolved disputes between the Government and suppliers of poor quality personal protective equipment (PPE) could cost the taxpayer £2.7 billion.
“Significant failings” by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in handling PPE contracts during the pandemic have also led to a surplus of four billion unneeded items, some of which will be burned, according to a new report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The committee criticised the DHSC for taking little action against potentially fraudulent suppliers, despite an estimated 5% of PPE expenditure involving fraud.