Covid contracts need proper scrutiny to end gravy train
Ministers must be held to account after spending billions of pounds of public money
Commenting on the National Audit Office report issued today (Wednesday) examining the government’s lack of transparency when awarding contracts valued at £18 billion to tackle Covid-19, UNISON assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“Billions of pounds of public money have been handed out with no proper checks and balances.
“Without an open and transparent process, this looks suspiciously like ministers have been lining the pockets of their political pals. This was vital equipment to keep health and care workers safe and halt the spread of the infection – not a get-rich-quick scheme.
“Ministers must be held to account and the government gravy train, whether driven by favours or incompetence, has to stop.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts
Garfield Myrie M: 07432 741565 E: g.myrie@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk