Investigations reveal that the Conservative government awarded over £15.3 billion in contracts during the Covid pandemic, raising significant corruption concerns.

Transparency International UK identified 135 'high-risk' contracts with multiple red flags among a wider review of 5,000 contracts.

Notably, contracts worth £4.1 billion went to firms with political connections, and contracts worth £4 billion passed through a 'VIP lane', a practice deemed unlawful by the High Court.

The charity highlighted the suspension of normal bidding safeguards, citing almost two-thirds of high-value contracts awarded without competition.

The government maintained this was necessary to expedite essential supplies like PPE.

However, Transparency International UK argues this led to cronyism and massive financial losses, urging investigations into the high-risk contracts.

The findings were detailed in communications to the National Audit Office, the Public Accounts Committee, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves.