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Prime Minister responds on Lauder College New Deal contracts
May 17, 2006 12:02 PM
Local MP criticises PM
Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has written to Dunfermline and West Fife MP, Willie Rennie, to inform him that no action will be taken on the loss of three New Deal contracts from Lauder College. Mr Rennie has criticised the PM's decision saying that Lauder's excellent record on delivering the New Deal in Fife should have been continued.
On the 26th April, in front of a packed House of Commons, Willie Rennie asked the Prime Minister to investigate the controversial decision.
In his response the Prime Minister said:
"In Fife, Jobcentre Plus invited bids for three separate contracts, each relating to the different elements of the New Deal programme. These were advertised openly on the Jobcentre Plus website and all bids were subject to vigorous and professional assessment. One of the key factors against which tenders are assessed is the strength of each proposal in helping local people into employment. Lauder College was not successful in this specific bid, but Jobcentre Plus is confidence that the successful contractors in Fife offer the strongest potential performance and the best value for money."
Commenting on the Prime Minister's letter, Willie Rennie said:
"The Prime Minister says that helping local people into employment is one of the key factors in choosing contractors. Yet Lauder College Employment and Enterprise has successfully helped thousands of people get into work in the last 18 years and its contract was not renewed.
"Tony Blair says that Jobcentre Plus is confident that the successful contractors offer the strongest potential performance and the best value for money. I will be watching the progress of these new contracts closely to ensure that these standards are met. Failure to do so is likely to damage public confidence in the tendering process.
"In the meantime, I will be working closely with Lauder College to ensure that it continues to provide the same excellent services it has always offered to local people."
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