Firms handed £1.3bn in Covid contracts claimed £1m in furlough grants

Dozen UK companies given VIP fast-track contracts to supply PPE to NHS paid idled staff at taxpayers' expense

Companies handed a combined 1.3bn in controversial fast-track Covid contracts with minimal scrutiny also claimed at least 1m in furlough grants, it can be revealed.

Analysis of the accounts of companies that won lucrative emergency contracts to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) to the NHS during the height of the pandemic shows 12 also claimed funds to put staff on furlough at taxpayers' expense.