Industry news

Three unions have moved to challenge the justice secretary Chris Grayling over plans to privatise the public sector procurement service, saying that the move breaches rules against forced labour supervision privatisation.

Unions Unison, Napo and the GMB are reporting the justice secretary to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) over the delivery of the community payback programme managed by Serco, in which offenders carry out unpaid community work.

The ILO convention states the: “convention prohibits all forms of forced or compulsory labour, which is defined as "all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily." The ILO standard also prevents workers under court orders from being put at the disposal of private individuals, companies or associations.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: “the UK government first breached the convention over 12 months ago when they put Serco in charge of community payback in London".

"The government is rushing through its probation privatisation plans with undue haste, and this breach of international labour regulations will be just one of the catastrophic results."

Francis Maude announces SME purchasing plan

The Cabinet Office has replaced multiple licences within different departments with one cross-government licence, under a three-year arrangement.

The new licence is expected to reduce current costs by 65 per cent with total savings of £1.1 million per year.

Savings will be generated from reduced administration and allow departments to leverage the public sectors position to negotiate as one large customer.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said: “As part of our long-term economic plan, this Government is tackling wasteful spend across Whitehall. Last year alone we saved taxpayers £3.8 billion but hard-working people expect us to do more.”

Whitehall departments move to share information across government

Government places £100 million ITO contract limit

The U.S. has moved to take action against India and its enforcement of a local content requirement for its solar programme.

The U.S. has said that it would take India to the World Trade Organisation surrounding its domestic contented requirements for solar products.

The move follows failed talks and increasing pressure on the U.S. administration from trade groups and the rise in complaints from U.S. businesses surrounding the perceived one-way trade barrier as India exports heavily and takes advantages of work visas loopholes.

The U.S. International Trade Commission will discuss complaints surrounding India’s trade position over this week.

Indian IT outsourcing exports predicted to grow by 13-15%

Indian IT market expands off exports

NHS Scotland has been given the go-ahead to nominate a preferred bidder for the development of a Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN).

The go-ahead comes after BT attempted to prevent NHS Scotland from continuing the bidding process after failing to be selected for the contract, with the telecoms giant complaining that: “the tender process was flawed” and failed to recognise the most “advantageous bid”.

NHS Scotland will be able to proceed with the procurement process after the courts found in their favour, with the preferred bidder expected to be a combined partnership between Capita and Updata.

BT has moved to appeal against the decision with a further hearing due for the 11th February.

A spokesman for the procurement body, National Services Scotland (NSS), described the procurement process as being “fair, robust and thorough”.

“The court has today upheld NSS’ request to have the suspension lifted and allow and award of contract to be made”.

Scottish government focuses on mobile services to drive patient care

NHS Scotland looks to replace legacy child health surveillance systems

Ed Davey, the energy secretary, has urged the energy regulators Ofgem to investigate the main six energy companies, regarding high profit margins.

Mr Davey has asked Ofgem to look into whether the high profit margins posted by the six main UK energy providers should be subject to a market investigation.

Mr Davey made comments indicating that energy companies should be broken up, if they had abused their market position, during the BBC’s Today programme: "There could be a number of remedies, including the breakup of some of these companies if they have abused their market power."

Labour spokesman on energy and climate change, Jonathan Reynold, said: "If the government wants to be taken seriously on energy bills, nothing less than a price freeze and action to stop these firms from overcharging in the future, as Labour has proposed, will do."

The new plans include the creation of coding clubs, increased employment of analytics services and the sharing of data and services.

The digital strategy sets forward the councils plans to generate savings and efficiencies from the use of IT systems, this includes increased standardisation within IT frameworks while promoting cross service integration.

The digital strategy is designed to encourage business investment, with high quality next generation internet connectivity. Faster internet will be used to support IT curriculums in local schools and support flexible working in the public sector.

Cabinet member and councillor Theo Blackwell said that: “it is vitally important that Camden, at the hub of the capital, develops ways of working which ensure that no one is left behind."

New research has revealed the importance of IT systems and frameworks in allowing small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) to remain successful, allow for growth and drive UK economic recovery.

The research carried out by Vanson Bourne and commissioned by Scale Computing revealed that SMBs were turning towards non-license based software and services.

The research found that many of the current IT infrastructure systems currently employed by SMBs were not sustainable.

Jeff Ready, CEO, Scale Computing, said: ““Too many SMBs don’t have the budget to develop the infrastructure they need to operate let alone grow. Leveraging non-proprietary technology and simplified infrastructure allows for IT to enable their business and not waste time on maintaining infrastructure

International BPO and contact centre provider Mindpearl has been awarded a contact centre outsourcing contract by Pennytel.

The contract will see Mindpearl provide services designed to support customer support.

Ben Dunscombe, CIO of MyNetFone, said: “Pennytel has partnered with Mindpearl to enhance customer satisfaction levels. I have every confidence in Mindpearl to operate this service for us.”

Mark Mahoney, General Manager at Mindpearl, said: “In partnership we aim to deliver transformational customer contact services, operational excellence and cost efficiency”.

Mindpearl wins contract with travel group

A collection of London councils under the London Councils organisation joint committee, have placed tender for a contract valued at around £42 million, to deliver traffic and parking management services.

The contract will support the parking and traffic appeals services (PATAS) and will deliver support services including communication, IT support and software, alongside database and call centre capabilities.

The tender notice offers five lots with options for a ten-year extension.

The tender notice detailed: “The service provider under this lot shall ensure that all case and case-related information is reviewed and correctly recorded and documented to allow both the PATAS staff and adjudicators to carry out their duties,-with the minimum of waiting time for appellants and with minimum necessary bureaucracy."

UK based retailer Bombardier has been awarded a contract to provide £1 billion to supply 65 trains to London’s Crossrail project.

The decision to select the Derby based manufacturer sees the last remaining UK train manufacturer beat completion for the likes of CAF of Spain and Japan’s Hitachi.

Bombardier UK had warned that a failure to secure the contract would result in the closure of the Derby plant and the loss of 1,500 jobs, with the failure to win the Thameslink project in 2011 resulting in the loss of 1,200 jobs.

Crossrail chief executive Andrew Wolstenholme said: “Crossrail will transform rail services in London and the south-east. Procurement of the rolling stock and depot is just one more step in delivering this new railway and making it a reality for millions of passengers.”

Business secretary Vince Cable said: "As well as providing a great boost to Bombardier and the Midlands this decision represents a real vote of confidence in British manufacturing. The government has been working hard with industry to support the UK rail supply chain to maximise growth”.

Crossrail Seeks IT Provider for £14m Contract

Rail minister says Thameslink may not deliver industry recovery