Unison: UK govt must halt privatization

Britain’s biggest public sector trade union Unison has called for an immediate halt to British government privatization plans after a study by institute for governmentâ„¢s (IfG) warned the Whitehall lacks skill and information to insure such deals.

The IfGâ„¢s report comes a few days after an analysis of the governmentâ„¢s controversial £100 billion Å“outsourcing” programs found private firms, including G4S and Serco, have overcharged the taxpayer and the government by tens of millions of pounds.

The leading think-tank urged the government to review its programs, saying it does not have the skills or information to design and manage complex contracts.

Å“Outsourcing and privatization is failing taxpayers and those forced to rely on privately-provided public services. At best the process is a waste of taxpayerâ„¢s precious funds, and at worst it poses a threat to peopleâ„¢s health,” Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said.

He added that recent privatization scandals have exposed Å“serious”, Å“potentially fraudulent”, and Å“dangerous” failings.

Å“How much more has to go wrong before the government takes action?,” Prentis asked.

MOS/HE