Liam Byrne MP, Labour's Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said in response to reports of new revelations surrounding A4e:
"The Government has now got a great deal of explaining to do.
"They must tell us immediately if they knew about this damning A4e report when they awarded the firm a huge £440million contract and if not, why not? How on earth can a firm with these types of questions hanging over it be awarded such a massive contract?
“Two weeks ago DWP told us that if they discovered any evidence of systemic fraud at A4e they would terminate all contracts.
"Ministers must say urgently whether they have this report, whether its under investigation and if they shut the contract down, who will now be in charge of the critical task of getting people back to work?
"With welfare bills spiralling we don't have a moment to lose in getting this troubled Work Programme back in some kind of order.”
http://www.labour.org.uk/government-must-say-if-they-knew-about-a4e-report,2012-03-22
"The Government has now got a great deal of explaining to do.
"They must tell us immediately if they knew about this damning A4e report when they awarded the firm a huge £440million contract and if not, why not? How on earth can a firm with these types of questions hanging over it be awarded such a massive contract?
“Two weeks ago DWP told us that if they discovered any evidence of systemic fraud at A4e they would terminate all contracts.
"Ministers must say urgently whether they have this report, whether its under investigation and if they shut the contract down, who will now be in charge of the critical task of getting people back to work?
"With welfare bills spiralling we don't have a moment to lose in getting this troubled Work Programme back in some kind of order.”
http://www.labour.org.uk/government-must-say-if-they-knew-about-a4e-report,2012-03-22
