I missed it, but Margaret Hodge was on The Daily Politics today talking about the PAC report. You can watch it here. She had to battle against poor interviewing, but she made her points. There is "still a cloud hanging over A4e". Providers are still claiming money for outcomes they had nothing to do with, jobs or self-employment already set up before referral. The interviewer, Carole Walker, kept trying to push the line that this was in Labour's time, but Hodge insisted it was under the current contracts. And, she said, "You don't pay a company if they have not done the work."
She was also exercised about the fact that no figures have been released. How can we know how well A4e or anyone else is doing if, 15 months in, there is still a refusal by the DWP to tell us the stats?
That's the crux of it at the moment. The documents leaked to Channel 4 News showed that, with the first year of the WP not yet completed, A4e's outcome figures were dire. That first year is well and truly over now, but figures promised in the "Autumn" are still not out, and rumour has it that they won't be released until the end of November (which is winter on my calendar). What are they hiding?
A4E released a statement "that in the last 2 years no fraud has been committed" All good and well,but if memory serves me,Emma Harrison received her £8.6 million pound dividend about a year ago,which would of been based on money made at least a year before that.Also is this an admission that prior to this(2yr period) they were aware that wide spread fraud was committed,but now they are honest and upfront and will no longer fiddle the Taxpayer,where are the penalties and jail sentences? Fraud can also be defined as failing to fulfill your obligations by misleading or failing to provide accurate data to determine the performance of a contract..Wonder if the kids will like a Christmas tree in July..The new Winter!
ReplyDeleteT'is true that A4e and others had poor performance figures under the ND, FND and Pathways schemes introduced by Labour. This is a line of 'defence' used by Greyling (Now replaced by Hoban) and Smith. Purely political point scoring of course. However, the question is why use a company with a poor track record under an older system to deliver a new system you're about to introduce.?
ReplyDeleteA bit like using a painter and decorator who did a terrible job on your sisters bedroom and your neighbours kitchen but you decide to use them anyway! All without taking past poor performances into consideration!
Well iMatt, they claim since its a new scheme there has to be a level playing field so past performance is irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteAm not surprised that these "results" are delayed no doubt something will happen in November then it will be January. These extra few months will give them a chance to spin these figures.
Jonty OC on twitter is saying "the allegations that are being made about A4e in the paper today are making really making my blood boil." A couple of his other tweets he has said well you can always opt out of benefits..
I suspect J O-C will be silenced before long. The board of A4e could well decide that he's doing more harm than good.
Delete"Well iMatt, they claim since its a new scheme there has to be a level playing field so past performance is irrelevant."
DeleteI know, crazy isn't it?
Poor performances under the WP will be thus ignored when it is modded / tweaked / replaced in a year or two's time.
As for Olliff-Cooper, he seems something of slf publicist.I wonder just what real talents he brings to A4e's table?
Hi iMatt
ReplyDelete"As for Olliff-Cooper, he seems something of slf publicist.I wonder just what real talents he brings to A4e's table?"
One word answer - CONNECTIONS.
"One word answer - CONNECTIONS."
DeleteTrue, very true gissajob. Very much the same reason a certain Dave Blunkett is in the employ of A4e also!