There has been remarkably little interest in the theft of a laptop containing personal client data from an A4e employee. Most of the coverage has simply repeated A4e's own press release. And some of the descriptions of A4e, such as "the jobs club firm" reveal a lack of knowledge of the company and its activities (although that particular description on the Register site also mentioned the fact that A4e administers the Home Office test for would-be citizens) . Even the BBC's local news filmed outside A4e's offices in Hull and referred to the company's "legal department" without mentioning the CLAC. One client of the CLAC said that the apology from A4e wasn't good enough and asked why the data was in someone's home. The news item drew comparisons with other data theft scandals, and Jo Blundell was put up to say that A4e are taking all the action they can.
The Guardian went with "Review to look at fairness of incapacity benefit tests", saying: "The contracts will in many cases not give private firms any money until they have found work, with the fee rising probably after someone has stayed in work for six months, 12 months or even two years. Emma Harrison, director for A4E , the largest private contractor, said she was delighted that the government was merging the different welfare to work schemes into one work programme, saying it would cut time and the cost of bidding for many small contracts. She said contractors were in discussion with banks to see if they would provide loans to cover the new regime of payment by results."
There are reasons why the Hull local press are keeping quiet about this. The local paper and increasingly, BBC news team do not like to embarrass our Lib Dem council. The Lib Dems chose A4e over bids by Citizens Advice and Shelter to run the CLAC despite opposition by Labour councillors. The council is now desperately trying to promote the CLAC positively with glossy features etc. It will not want the local media to make a deal of this.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with your reasoning, particularly the political point. The council chose the bid from A4e presumably because it was seen as the best value. The wrong decision was to go for a CLAC in the first place. While they may be trying to promote the CLAC, can the council really influence what is written or broadcast by the local media?
ReplyDeleteWhy was this laptop in London, and not the area where the CLAC covered. Thats a question that should be asked. Somethings rotten in the state of denmaek
ReplyDeleteDenmark? The data from both CLACs was on a single laptop in London. I can think of a few reasons - analysing the data, for instance. But A4e know as well as anyone else that it's a basic breach of security.
ReplyDeleteI probably overstated things regarding the BBC coverage but there are definite known connections between Hull's local newspaper and the council.
ReplyDeleteI'll let that comment stand, but it's an unsubstantiated allegation.
ReplyDeleteSomeone posted a comment asking if he could sue for the loss of his personal data (but using language I won't permit). The answer is, probably, but if you live in Hull or Leicester you would have to seek legal advice - through the CLAC.
ReplyDeleteAnyone wishing to make a complaint about the loss of their personal data by A4e could contact the Data Protection Registrar. See the UK Data Protection Act site for further info.
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