Fraudsters may have stolen £500,000 from cladding removal fund, watchdog reveals

National Audit Office report says taxpayer-funded scheme made payment to suspected scammer last autumn

Fraudsters may have stolen 500,000 from a taxpayer-funded scheme aimed at accelerating the removal of dangerous cladding from buildings, the public spending watchdog has revealed.

The National Audit Office said the government decision to prioritise speed in handing out money to building owners had increased its risk of losses from fraud.