The voluntary repayment scheme allows for Covid era money to be paid back by businesses, ‘no questions asked’ which ‘they were not entitled to or did not need’, the Treasury said.

The scheme, announced 12 September, will give individuals and businesses until December 2025 to pay back outstanding money that was paid out by the government during the pandemic.

It is aimed at businesses that were not entitled to or did not need money given to them after applying for it during the pandemic.

This has been branded a ‘use it or lose it’ opportunity, before the government brings in tougher sanctions.

The Treasury has not commented yet on when exactly the amnesty will start and end.