Fujitsu has been awarded a £61 million contract by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the UK's tax collection agency. This development comes despite the company's central role in the Post Office scandal, which saw hundreds of sub-postmasters wrongly convicted of theft and fraud due to faulty accounting software.
The awarding of the contract has prompted discussion and a public poll by the Daily Mail regarding whether Fujitsu should be blacklisted from future government work. The scandal, which has unfolded over several years, involved Fujitsu's Horizon IT system, which regulators and courts have determined contained significant flaws that led to apparent financial discrepancies.
Fujitsu has been a supplier to the UK government for various IT services. The recent contract with HMRC for IT services raises questions about the vetting process for government contractors, particularly those with a history of major technological failures that have had severe consequences for individuals. The company has previously stated it is committed to supporting those affected by the Horizon system issues and is cooperating with ongoing investigations and redress schemes.