HC Deb 05 November 1998 vol 318 cc646-7W
Mr. Stringer

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to modernise the Department's computer systems; and if he will make a statement. [58761]

Mr. Timms

Modernisation of the Welfare State is a priority for the Government and will involve major changes over a period of time to the ways in which welfare services are delivered. A key element of the strategy for the future is to provide the next generation of computer systems required to support improved service delivery to the public, whilst at the same time reducing the scope for error or fraud.

The ACcess to CORporate Data (ACCORD) procurement project was created to put in place Information System/Information Technology (IS/IT) supply arrangements with the private sector. The procurement, conducted in accordance with Government and EC procurement regulations, set out to establish Private Finance Initiative/Public Private Partnership (PFI/PPP) arrangements with suitable service providers.

First of all, in order to develop the core systems for the new IS/IT, the Department is announcing today that it intends to establish a close, long-term working relationship with a single preferred Service Provider. The AFFINITY consortium (led by Electronic Data Systems Ltd. with IBM UK Ltd., Cable and Wireless Communications Ltd. and PricewaterhouseCoopers) has been selected for this role and they will start work with the Department immediately to do the preparatory work necessary to design the strategic components of the next generation of IS/IT.

The Department is also announcing that it has selected three service providers it intends to work with for the provision of a wide range of IS/IT services in the future. As well as the AFFINITY consortium these will be: ARCWAY, a consortium led by British Telecommunications plc with Bull Information Systems Ltd. and SEMA Group UK Ltd.; and 1ACCORD, a consortium led by ICL plc with Anderson Consulting, Experian Ltd., Microsoft Ltd., Rand Information Systems Ltd. and Ferret Information Systems Ltd.

These selections are essential prerequisites to the detailed negotiations which will allow the commercial arrangements to be finalised with the service providers.

Following this, as supply needs arise from now and over the next 10 years, contracts for specific IS/IT services will be awarded through these providers.

We believe this arrangement between public and private provision is an important step towards modernising the Welfare State. In particular the establishing of a strategic relationship and joint working arrangements with the Preferred Service Provider will enable us to harness together the skills from both sectors.