07.03.16
Government to review all contracts with Atos following PAC report into IT failings
Major outsourcing company Atos is facing a review of all government contracts worth more than £10m a year by the Cabinet Office following heavy criticism from government and the public.
The review was made following recommendations from a recent Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report into Atos’ role as a contracted supplier in the General Practice Extraction Service (GPES) IT system.
The system was designed to allow NHS organisations to extract data from GP computer systems, but started five years later than planned, went over budget and only provides services to two of the eight organisations signed up as users.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “In line with the PAC’s recommendation the Cabinet Office is undertaking a review of all current Atos contracts with central government with an annual spend over £10m.”
In 2014, Atos exited its £500m contract to assess whether benefits’ claimants are ‘fit to work’ a year ahead of schedule.
An Atos spokesperson said: “We look forward to working with the Cabinet Office with whom we have a transparent and open relationship and we look forward to maintaining our green rating for delivery across Whitehall.”