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07/03/2012
'Champagne Culture' Of A4e Revealed By Former Managers
Several former managers of A4e, the welfare-to-work company at the centre of fraud investigations, have told the Guardian newspaper the firm ‘has a culture of lavish trips abroad and big-spending hospitality.’
The company holds up to £180m worth of public contracts and all of its UK income comes from government contracts.
Describing the company has having a “champagne culture” one former manager said: "If the marketing director wanted to take a team of 10 marketing people for a night out you wouldn't get change out of £2,000."
Another former member of staff has told how management conferences, which up to 100 staff would attend, would be held in Monaco and La Manga in Spain. It has also been alleged that in spring 2011 about 25 managers where taken to Paris, at the company’s expense, to celebrate being awarded the Work Programme contracts by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Ex-managers also revealed that for a trip to New York to meet charities and organisations working with the city’s unemployed, Emma Harrison, who recently stepped down as head of A4e, travelled business class alongside a member of her family. The trip was later billed to the company at a cost of more than £20,000, which included an expenses claim for an $800 (£504) restaurant bill.
Responding to the new allegations A4e said they were "obviously a highly subjective observation [or] understanding". They did however confirm that management conferences were held in Monaco in 2006 and La Manga in 2004.
"It is hardly unusual for businesses to hold off-site conferences," A4e said, "but please be aware that previous and subsequent conferences have been held in locations including Rotherham and Manchester."
While unemployed Russell Kynoch, a former Jobcentre Plus employee, was given a four-week work experience placement by A4e within the company’s own finance department in between January 23 and February 17 this year. During this he says he processed ‘pre-authorised expenses claims from across the company’ and came across numerous irregularities such as, "missing receipts for taxi, rail, bus, train, tram, parking and wrong calculations of payments".
He claims he was told to not scrutinise expenses claims too closely and only examine a few receipts saying, "I would get a claim with 15 or 20 receipts. I was told to just pick a couple out … [They said] 'Don't spend time going through every receipt with the form.'”
In response A4e told the Guardian:
"As a responsible business we would take any allegations of incorrect expenses claims very seriously and investigate thoroughly, including taking relevant disciplinary action if appropriate."
(H)
The company holds up to £180m worth of public contracts and all of its UK income comes from government contracts.
Describing the company has having a “champagne culture” one former manager said: "If the marketing director wanted to take a team of 10 marketing people for a night out you wouldn't get change out of £2,000."
Another former member of staff has told how management conferences, which up to 100 staff would attend, would be held in Monaco and La Manga in Spain. It has also been alleged that in spring 2011 about 25 managers where taken to Paris, at the company’s expense, to celebrate being awarded the Work Programme contracts by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Ex-managers also revealed that for a trip to New York to meet charities and organisations working with the city’s unemployed, Emma Harrison, who recently stepped down as head of A4e, travelled business class alongside a member of her family. The trip was later billed to the company at a cost of more than £20,000, which included an expenses claim for an $800 (£504) restaurant bill.
Responding to the new allegations A4e said they were "obviously a highly subjective observation [or] understanding". They did however confirm that management conferences were held in Monaco in 2006 and La Manga in 2004.
"It is hardly unusual for businesses to hold off-site conferences," A4e said, "but please be aware that previous and subsequent conferences have been held in locations including Rotherham and Manchester."
While unemployed Russell Kynoch, a former Jobcentre Plus employee, was given a four-week work experience placement by A4e within the company’s own finance department in between January 23 and February 17 this year. During this he says he processed ‘pre-authorised expenses claims from across the company’ and came across numerous irregularities such as, "missing receipts for taxi, rail, bus, train, tram, parking and wrong calculations of payments".
He claims he was told to not scrutinise expenses claims too closely and only examine a few receipts saying, "I would get a claim with 15 or 20 receipts. I was told to just pick a couple out … [They said] 'Don't spend time going through every receipt with the form.'”
In response A4e told the Guardian:
"As a responsible business we would take any allegations of incorrect expenses claims very seriously and investigate thoroughly, including taking relevant disciplinary action if appropriate."
(H)
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23 March 2012
Leaked Internal Audit Found 'Systematic Fraud' At A4e
A leaked document suggests that welfare-to-work firm A4e knew of widespread potential fraud and systemic failures by management to control it.
Leaked Internal Audit Found 'Systematic Fraud' At A4e
A leaked document suggests that welfare-to-work firm A4e knew of widespread potential fraud and systemic failures by management to control it.
22 August 2012
A4e Not Allowed To Call Itself A 'Social Purpose Company'
A4e, the company at the centre of fraud allegations in relation to its government welfare-to-work contracts, has now been banned from calling itself a “social purpose company”. The restriction is to ensure consumers do not mistake the company for a not-for-profit organisation. The firm's website, mya4e.
A4e Not Allowed To Call Itself A 'Social Purpose Company'
A4e, the company at the centre of fraud allegations in relation to its government welfare-to-work contracts, has now been banned from calling itself a “social purpose company”. The restriction is to ensure consumers do not mistake the company for a not-for-profit organisation. The firm's website, mya4e.
05 August 2013
Met Reach Out-Of-Court Settlement With Family Of Ian Tomlinson
The family of Ian Tomlinson have reached an out-of-court settlement with the Metropolitan Police over his death in London in 2009. Mr Tomlinson died shortly after being struck with a baton and pushed to the ground by a riot officer during G20 protests in the city. Mr Tomlinson was not involved in the protests and was just making his way home.
Met Reach Out-Of-Court Settlement With Family Of Ian Tomlinson
The family of Ian Tomlinson have reached an out-of-court settlement with the Metropolitan Police over his death in London in 2009. Mr Tomlinson died shortly after being struck with a baton and pushed to the ground by a riot officer during G20 protests in the city. Mr Tomlinson was not involved in the protests and was just making his way home.
14 September 2007
Murdered Kent Teacher Named
A female teacher murdered in the on the grounds of a Kent Prison has been named locally as Louise Evans. Ms Evans was found behind her car at East Sutton Park Open Prison near Maidstone, at 1715 BST on Wednesday. The teacher worked for private contractor A4e to deliver the Offender Learning and Skills Service.
Murdered Kent Teacher Named
A female teacher murdered in the on the grounds of a Kent Prison has been named locally as Louise Evans. Ms Evans was found behind her car at East Sutton Park Open Prison near Maidstone, at 1715 BST on Wednesday. The teacher worked for private contractor A4e to deliver the Offender Learning and Skills Service.
13 September 2007
Woman Found Murdered On Kent Prison Grounds
A female teacher has been found murdered in the car park of a Kent prison. Detectives are investigating the death of the woman at East Sutton Park Open Prison near Maidstone, at 1715 BST on Wednesday. Police have said that the teacher who worked at the jail had left the building an hour before her death.
Woman Found Murdered On Kent Prison Grounds
A female teacher has been found murdered in the car park of a Kent prison. Detectives are investigating the death of the woman at East Sutton Park Open Prison near Maidstone, at 1715 BST on Wednesday. Police have said that the teacher who worked at the jail had left the building an hour before her death.
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