Amnesty for Ineligible Covid-19 Financial Support Payments

Summary

The requester asked for details on repayments made during the July-August 2022 amnesty for ineligible Covid-19 financial support and confirmation of ongoing formal reviews. The Department for Enterprise disclosed the total committed repayment amount, the sum received to date, and confirmed that a formal review of all claims is currently underway.

Key Facts

• A 20-day amnesty for reviewing Covid-19 support claims ran from 6 July 2022 to 4 August 2022.
• The total amount committed to be returned during the amnesty was £186,059.99.
• As of 27 September 2022, £136,888.05 had been received from the committed total.
• Repayment plans were agreed with some businesses to assist with cash flow.
• The Department confirmed that a formal review of all coronavirus support scheme payments is currently being undertaken.

Data Disclosed

• £186,059.99
• £136,888.05
• 6 July 2022
• 4 August 2022
• 27 September 2022
• 14 September 2022
• 28 September 2022
• 20 day

Original Request

IOM Govt announced on Monday 4th July 2022 that, with effect from 6th July 2022, "a 20 day amnesty was in place to allow for businesses and self-employed individuals to review the claims they have made and ensure they were fully entitled to the funds. Following this 20 day period a formal review of all claims, from any of the coronavirus support schemes will take place." This amnesty period ended on Thursday 4th August 2022 and I would therefore be grateful for information as to how much has already been repaid (or is expected) to date. Would you also please confirm that the "formal review" of all other claims is now being undertaken. I would point out that being uncertain who to direct my query to, my original request was sent to the Cabinet Office on 14th September 2022. However, I was advised that they do not hold the information that I requested. Notwithstanding that I should have thought it would have been a simple matter for them to refer it to the correct Department (perhaps via a phone call) their response was "...that I should contact both the Department of Enterprise or the Treasury who may be able to help". If you are unable to assist are you able to forward this request to the Treasury or should I apply to them direct?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator 1st Floor, St Georges Court Upper Church Street, Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1EX

Telephone: (01624 686400) Website: https://www.iomdfenterprise.im/

Our ref: 2657678 28 September 2022

Dear ####

We write further to your request which was received on 27 September 2022 and which states:

"IOM Govt announced on Monday 4th July 2022 that, with effect from 6th July 2022, "a 20 day amnesty was in place to allow for businesses and self-employed individuals to review the claims they have made and ensure they were fully entitled to the funds. Following this 20 day period a formal review of all claims, from any of the coronavirus support schemes will take place." This amnesty period ended on Thursday 4th August 2022 and I would therefore be grateful for information as to how much has already been repaid (or is expected) to date. Would you also please confirm that the "formal review" of all other claims is now being undertaken.

I would point out that being uncertain who to direct my query to, my original request was sent to the Cabinet Office on 14th September 2022. However, I was advised that they do not hold the information that I requested. Notwithstanding that I should have thought it would have been a simple matter for them to refer it to the correct Department (perhaps via a phone call) their response was "...that I should contact both the Department of Enterprise or the Treasury who may be able to help". If you are unable to assist are you able to forward this request to the Treasury or should I apply to them direct?"

Our response to your request is as follows:

In response to your request, the Department can advise, that as previously disclosed on 14 September 2022, the money committed to be returned during the course of the amnesty totals £186,059.99.

In order to assist businesses, and in recognition of them coming forward as part of the amnesty period, repayment plans have been agreed with some of them to assist with cash flow. Others have returned the monies in full. As of 27th September, £136,888.05 has been received from the total commitment outlined above.

With regards to the second part of your question, the Department confirms that a formal review of payments is currently being undertaken.

Please quote the reference number 2657678 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information Co-Ordinator