Almost half of sum was earmarked for business support, including furlough scheme and bounce-back loans
The government’s bill for tackling Covid-19 has risen by £100bn since the start of the year and now stands at £372bn, according to the independent watchdog that oversees Whitehall spending.
Figures from the National Audit Office highlighted the financial impact of the lockdown imposed to cope with the winter surge in cases of the pandemic and brought a stark warning from the MP who chairs the Commons committee of public accounts.
