G4S In Trouble Again

[chrisgel]

Now there's a surprise.
In view of this companies appalling track record how do they keep getting these lucrative contracts from the government?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23272708

[Canary42]

They're one of Cameron's Cronies.

[ichkeria]

It doesn't reflect too well on the government department either it has to be said. Surely to goodness they should also have a record of who needs to be tagged. And periodically - at least - check their lists against those of the tagging company.

[jno]

I'd have said because there was no competition... but there was, from Serco... and what do you know, they've been at it too. What a nifty little duopoly.

[ichkeria]

I doubt if it's actually "fraud" as such. Just plain incompetence, dodgy data, and as previously stated lack of proper checking by all parties.

[LazyGun]

From what I heard Chris Grayling saying in the HoC, no one is free of blame ; Department or the companies. And from the sound of the scale, much might well be down to incompetence, but I am more cynical than Ichkeria. It would not surprise me at all if evidence of fraud was found.

The way all of these public service contracts have been outsourced - and I include PFIs and IT systems and all of that - have been inadequate, almost shamefully so. Any contract for the provision of these services should surely include resource allocation and costings to ensure a proper audit trail.

Staggering incompetence on behalf of governmental department negotiators, it seems to me......

[VHG]

Found this on the internet, which may explain why it gets some of the these large contracts.

G4S is the world's largest security company measured by revenues and has operations in around 125 countries. With over 620,000 employees, it is the world's third-largest private sector employer (after Wal-Mart Stores and Foxconn).

[ichkeria]

I think a lot of the problem is simply what happens when you try to develop "clever" computer systems for things like this, be it in-house or outsourcing.
But the problem also with outsourcing is that you introduce yet another cook into the kitchen. Yet another layer of bureaucracy. And you most likely concentrate on the money-saving aspects above all else.

[LazyGun]

@Ichkeria. No argument with that. One of the main reasons I have always been sceptical of the perceived benefits and projected cost savings of outsourcing.....

[chrisgel]

A local example of incompetence.
With the standard weasel disclaimer from the company at the end.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4980827/Tag-team-scam.html

[mikey4444]

Eddie Mair tried interviewing Francis Maud on PM this afternoon but it was like trying to nail custard to the wall.

Has that G4S chap, the one with the mullet and dazed expression last seen in the Commons Select Committee...is he still in charge ?

[aelmpvw]

^ ^ ^ no Mikey, nick buckles resigned with a £1.2 million pay off, makes you smile doesn't it

[mikey4444]

Throw up more like !

But according to Francis Maud this afternoon, this latest scandal and fraud isn't going to stop this Tory Government from proceeding with yet more privatisation of services. There is a saying with pigs, snouts and troughs coming to mind.