SNP MPs have written to Tory Defence Minister following a previous
complaint about outsourcing contracts for the Defence Fire And
Resource Project.
, and Stewart
McDonald from the Westminster Defence team have co-signed a
letter reflecting concerns about the MoD outsourcing work to
Capita. Today the Ministry of Defence suspended the contract to
provide firefighting services on military sites after rival Serco
began a legal challenge to the decision. It is vital the MoD now
keep the Defence Fire and Rescue Project in house.
This follows yesterday’s MoD suspension of the Type 31e frigate
programme – on the grounds of cost – throwing the shipbuilding
sector into disarray over yet more Tory betrayals
Stewart McDonald SNP Defence spokesperson commented:
‘’This is yet another MoD Whitehall farce. Two weeks ago I wrote
to Defence Minister Tobias Elwood objecting to the Defence Fire
and Rescue service being outsourced to Capita, after the contract
received the highest possible risk rating by the MoD. Now the
contract is in court. I have again written to him with my
colleagues to underline our concerns and to receive assurance
about the dangers of outsourcing sensitive MoD work.
‘’This follows yesterday’s cynically sneaked out announcement -
on the last day of parliament - of the suspension of a major
frigate programme, that has deeply damaging potential for our
shipyards and our naval capability.
‘’The MoD has a massive budget black hole and all these deeply
serious issues show it’s becoming clear that isn’t up to the task of
being Defence Secretary.’’
Ends
See here Letter from
- SNP Defence
spokesperson
Carol l Monaghan MP - SNP Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs
spokesperson
Martin Doherty-Hughes MP - SNP Member of the Defence Select
Committee
Dear Minister,
We are following up on the official objection made to the
Departmental Minute from the Ministry of Defence, dated 18 June
2018, concerning contingent liabilities relating to the entering
into contracts regarding the Defence Fire and Rescue Project.
Given the Ministry of Defence has now suspended the contract for
outsourcing group Capita to provide firefighting services on
military sites after rival Serco began a legal challenge to the
decision, it is vital the MoD now keep the Defence Fire and
Rescue Project in house.
The awarding of this contract to Capita has already caused a
sense of insecurity and instability across the MoD estate, and
this legal challenge has added to that feeling.
In addition, the fact that MPs have also – just today – warned
that outsourcing NHS services to Capita was a “shambles” that put
patients at serious risk of harm, it is therefore imperative that
the Defence Fire and Rescue Project is kept in house to ensure
the Defence estate, and jobs, are not at risk.
The MoD stated that Contingent Liability will reach a maximum
value of £37 million in Financial Year 2020-21, and our objection
warned this was too costly to the taxpayer and did not provide
value for money.
We have already warned that the company’s risk rating, potential
cost to the taxpayer, and the uncertainty amongst the MoD estate
were too big risks for this contract to be awarded to Capita.
As the contract has been suspended, having been challenged in
court, we believe the risks that were highlighted have been
validated, and thus the Defence Fire and Rescue Project should be
kept in
house.
We would therefore be grateful if the MoD could confirm that the
contract for the Defence Fire and Rescue Project will remain in
house – as we believe it should be.
We look forward to your response.
