The National Audit Office has published a report into spending on HMRC’s Aspire contract, which was awarded to CapGemini and sub-contractor Fujitsu, in 2004 to run HMRC’s ICT services. The report acknowledges that Aspire has been successful in reducing costs and improving services to customers. It did however highlight concern over significant scope creep which took the initial contract value of £4.1 bn up to a total £10.4 bn spend. The NAO questioned whether the additional work – which again was largely very successful – was paid for at above market rates, due to HMRC’s over reliance on its ICT suppliers. HMRC needs to skill up, both technically and commercially, to reform before the Aspire contract ends in June 2017.

Former HMRC IT leader goes to Specsavers