Unison wants probe into IBM contract

Unison has today called for a full inspection into a public/private partnership involving Somerset CC, Taunton BC, Avon and Somerset Police and computer giant IBM.

The union is demanding no more public bodies sign up to the project – which is called South West One - until an Audit Commission review is carried out. The project has taken over the jobs of 1,400 people under a 10-year contract worth £585m.
 
The call comes due to ongoing work by the union, shown in the ITV West programme 'Public money- Private gain'. The programme questions the project's accountability to taxpayers and its overall success in delivering public services efficiently. 
 
Heather Wakefield, Unison head of local government, said:
 
"The government need to learn from their mistakes with PFI and avoid wasting millions of pounds of public money on inflexible contracts with the private sector. These projects are not a golden bullet for public sector reform, but allow big businesses to cream off profits made from taxpayers' cash.
 
"It might be too late for the three public bodies who have pledged their millions, but for the remainder we are calling for a full inspection by the audit commission. We are also demanding improved transparency and accountability and a clear timetable for future plans so we can consult our members."