§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which consortium was responsible for his Department's IT infrastructure prior to 23 November 2000; how long that consortium had been so responsible; how much money had been paid to that consortium over the period; which projects started by that consortium are not to be carried on by the Arcway consortium; for what reasons the contract was withdrawn from the previous consortium; when hon. Members were first told that a change was being considered; and if he will make a statement. [143088]
§ Angela EagleTwo separate service providers—ICL and Sema—were responsible for the Department's IT network infrastructure prior to 23 November 2000, under the terms of the Focus '95 contracts. These contracts were awarded for a period of five years and had a collective value of approximately £250 million. Work in progress started during this period is being taken forward by the BT-led consortium Arcway to ensure continuity of service.
The contract with Sema has subsequently expired and has not been renewed. On current plans the contract with ICL is due to expire May 2001. The contract awarded to the BT-led consortium Arcway, through competition, will enable the Department to move forward to a secure modernised IS/IT service.
Announcements were made in 1996—at the start of the Accord procurement for the next generation of the Department's IS/IT systems—and in 1999 when overarching contracts were awarded to three competing consortia.