In an urgent Question raised in the House on Friday about Government policy in relation to outsourcing and tax credits Emma spoke about the appalling way one of her Constituents was treated by Concentrix. Concentrix whose contract with the Government ends next May after pressure from the Labour benches, were brought in on a payment by results model to conduct tax credit checks, yet they have presided over a total shambles leaving many people destitute, stopping their tax credits after accusing them of cohabiting, or making false claims.
The urgent question was granted following a debate about the Concentrix debacle called by Labour at the end of October. Just days after the debate the chief executive of HRMC announced to the Treasury Committee: “we will not go back into the market for this kind of thing” and “We will not be going to back to the market to seek a third party to help us in any way with this kind of thing”.
The urgent question aimed to clarify the Government’s position on the outsourcing of sensitive government contracts as the chief executive’s comments marked a considerable shift in Government policy.
The Government Minister responding claimed there had been “no change on Government policy on outsourcing”, creating further confusion.
You can read Emma’s question and the Minister’s response here.
Speaking afterwards Emma said,
“It is clear that the Government are not in control of their own Departments, with the chief executive of HMRC and the Government giving mixed messages, after this urgent question Parliament remains unclear as to Government policy. It is welcome that the contract with Concentrix will cease but this is yet another example of private companies making money from lucrative contracts whilst failing to deliver for the public, it is time the Government got a handle on their private sector contracts and monitored them robustly to avoid this happening again”.
