Did pandemic business support work?

This podcast episode unveils the controversies behind the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), implemented during the economic crisis caused by COVID-19 lockdowns. The program faced criticism due to its reliance on self-certification by businesses, resulting in numerous companies obtaining loans they did not genuinely need. Despite efforts to recover funds from high-profile organizations, the majority of companies retained the loans. While the program potentially saved jobs, its efficiency was questionable, with each preserved job costing taxpayers significantly.