Despite its central role in the United Kingdom's Post Office IT scandal, the technology firm Fujitsu remains eligible to bid on significant government contracts. This situation has drawn criticism, particularly as the company has not yet paid compensation to the sub-postmasters who were wrongly prosecuted due to the faulty Horizon software.
The Horizon scandal, which spanned from 1999 to 2015, led to hundreds of individuals being wrongfully accused of theft and fraud. The software, supplied by Fujitsu, erroneously indicated financial discrepancies, triggering these prosecutions. Since the ITV drama "Mr. Bates Vs. The Post Office" brought wider public attention to the scandal, Fujitsu has reportedly secured over £500 million in taxpayer-funded contracts.
Fujitsu was recently added to the Digital Outcomes and Specialists 7 framework, a list of approved suppliers for government contracts potentially worth close to £15 billion. This move comes despite assurances from the company that it would refrain from bidding on new government contracts until the conclusion of the ongoing Horizon inquiry, expected in September.
Lee Castleton, a former sub-postmaster who faced bankruptcy after being prosecuted, has voiced strong opposition to Fujitsu's continued access to public contracts. He stated that the company should honor its commitment not to seek new business until victims receive resolution. "The taxpayer just pays over and over again while Fujitsu have walked away from promises," Castleton commented.
Liam Byrne, chair of the business and trade committee, described the situation as evidence of a broken public procurement system. He highlighted that Fujitsu has not paid any compensation, even as a gesture of goodwill, and continues to receive public funds. Byrne urged the new Prime Minister to prioritize radical procurement reform with a stronger emphasis on supporting British companies.
Harriett Baldwin, shadow business minister, called on the government to utilize all available means to ensure sub-postmasters receive prompt compensation.
In response, a Fujitsu spokesman noted the company's track record in delivering services for HMRC, including data centre infrastructure and IT equipment for over two decades. The spokesman added that Fujitsu is working with the UK government to adhere to voluntary restrictions on bidding for new contracts and that discussions regarding compensation contributions are ongoing.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson stated that all relevant procurement regulations are followed when awarding suppliers to commercial agreements. The company's most significant recent government contract includes a £61 million deal to manage the HMRC system responsible for processing self-assessment tax returns. This occurs in light of new Chancellor John Healey's stated intention to prioritize British suppliers in a procurement overhaul.