This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25348086
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| G4S and Serco lose tagging contracts | G4S and Serco lose tagging contracts |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Private security firms G4S and Serco have been stripped of responsibility for tagging criminals in the UK. | Private security firms G4S and Serco have been stripped of responsibility for tagging criminals in the UK. |
| It follows allegations they charged the government for tagging people who were either dead or in jail. | It follows allegations they charged the government for tagging people who were either dead or in jail. |
| The monitoring contracts will instead be handed to Capita by the end of the financial year, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said. | The monitoring contracts will instead be handed to Capita by the end of the financial year, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said. |
| He said the rival firm would continue to use Serco and G4S's equipment. | He said the rival firm would continue to use Serco and G4S's equipment. |
| Capita is bidding to take on the contracts permanently. | Capita is bidding to take on the contracts permanently. |
| "Under these arrangements, Capita will be using the systems and equipment of G4S and Serco," Mr Grayling said. | |
| "But the two companies will no longer have a direct role in delivering the service on the ground." | "But the two companies will no longer have a direct role in delivering the service on the ground." |
| He added: "This signals a fresh start for electronic monitoring that brings us a step closer to introducing the most advanced tagging system in the world." | He added: "This signals a fresh start for electronic monitoring that brings us a step closer to introducing the most advanced tagging system in the world." |
| 'Dangerous experiments' | 'Dangerous experiments' |
| Ashley Almanza, chief executive of G4S told a committee of MPs last month his company had failed to "tell the difference between right and wrong" when dealing with the contracts. | Ashley Almanza, chief executive of G4S told a committee of MPs last month his company had failed to "tell the difference between right and wrong" when dealing with the contracts. |
| Serco chairman Alistair Lyons said it was "ethically wrong" to overcharge the government. | Serco chairman Alistair Lyons said it was "ethically wrong" to overcharge the government. |
| Prison reform campaigners the Howard League said it was "surreal" ministers were still allowing private companies to bid for security contracts. | Prison reform campaigners the Howard League said it was "surreal" ministers were still allowing private companies to bid for security contracts. |
| "Tagging is a small part of a bigger picture of private security corporations being far better at winning contracts than keeping the public safe, with increased crime resulting in increased profits," director of campaigns Andrew Neilson said. | "Tagging is a small part of a bigger picture of private security corporations being far better at winning contracts than keeping the public safe, with increased crime resulting in increased profits," director of campaigns Andrew Neilson said. |
| "From prisons to the probation service, the Ministry of Justice's dangerous experiments with privatisation should end." | "From prisons to the probation service, the Ministry of Justice's dangerous experiments with privatisation should end." |
| In summer, the MoJ revealed that the private security firms had overcharged the government by "tens of millions of pounds". The figure emerged following an audit by accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers. | In summer, the MoJ revealed that the private security firms had overcharged the government by "tens of millions of pounds". The figure emerged following an audit by accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers. |
| It found that overcharging began at least as early as 2005 when the current contracts began. | It found that overcharging began at least as early as 2005 when the current contracts began. |
| The Serious Fraud Office has launched an investigation and both firms have said they are "co-operating fully". | The Serious Fraud Office has launched an investigation and both firms have said they are "co-operating fully". |