§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on procedures by which a contract for security services in her Department was awarded to Group 4; and what assessment she made of the application of TUPE regulations to this contract. [36024]
§ Mr. FieldUnder the previous administration's market testing programme 1992–95, the Department awarded two contracts to Group 4 for accommodation and office services, including security services. In both instances, the terms and conditions of the TUPE regulations applied.
From 1 April 1998, Group 4 will provide all security services to the Department under the PRIME contract. The PRIME contract, which will transfer the ownership and management of the Department's Estate, was awarded to PPM (Partnership Property Management), following a tender exercise in which they were fully evaluated in line with this Government's new strengthened criteria and concern for staff issues. In appointing Group 4 as their sub-contractor to deliver security services, PPM worked in close partnership with the Department to ensure our new criteria were fully met.
Staff transferring to Group 4 will not only have their employment rights fully protected by the TUPE regulations but, by virtue of arrangements made with PPM, will also be entitled to join a new pension arrangement which has been certified by the Government Actuary as being comparable with the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme.