The DWP: up to its neck in controversy. Again.
Private companies in public bodies
As the main supply route for all public sector customers… our agreement ensures that they have access to quality interpreters… in an efficient and cost effective way.
The whole concept of frameworks is that they can provide cost savings. By buying in bulk, it is expected that savings can be made… This model doesn’t work for services provided by professionals, whose overheads do not diminish.
A “marketplace review”
- “The liquidation of a large spoken language agency… who cited frameworks as one reason for their liquidation”.
- “The boycott of another agency… by interpreters in response to a large reduction in fees to unsustainable levels”.

Access to work
led to people losing much needed support and placed jobs at risk.
The [framework agreement] will instigate its own cap on the hourly amount for any contract. Any agency administering the [Access to Work] budget for a Deaf person will use this amount to cut the rates of pay for an interpreter… The fees offered to a [BSL] interpreter will be below market rates… resulting in even fewer interpreters being available to work within [Access to Work] settings…
The DWP is attempting to control the market by using a framework that does not follow the market rates interpreters charge.
“Demonising” people
These findings are no surprise to anyone familiar with the DWP. Specifically, their practice of ignoring any evidence which doesn’t fit with their ideological standpoint; one of demonising service providers and users under the guise of austerity. They have repeatedly ignored warnings against the use of framework agreements for BSL/English interpreting provision; as seen in their marketplace review… Which failed to include the liquidation of Pearl Linguistics and the boycott of Language Line Solutions.Framework agreements started a race to the bottom. The rights of… deaf people and service providers are ignored in favour of the customer’s bottom line and the agency’s profit margin. Appointments are left unfulfilled, or unqualified/inexperienced interpreters are being used… This model is unstable… We need the DWP to admit this sooner rather than later. Because ultimately it is deaf people who are suffering.
SCANDALOUS! “The DWP just revealed the eye-watering millions it paid out to private companies” [don’t forget the highly questionable “Prospects Workfair”] – JULY 26TH, 2018 + archive
The DWP sneaked out a damning admission just before parliament closed for the summer – The Canary 26 July 2018 + archive
DWP WRONG AGAIN: “The #DWP just admitted a court case it lost will affect thousands of people” AUDIO + ATOS + SANCTIONS DEATHS + archive
The Carol Woods Coverup: the house theft, the ID frauds, Mike Todd’s murder, DWP frauds + more 30 May 2018 + archive
SHOCKING: “Hundreds losing disability benefits in Personal Independence Payments shake-up” + The DWP has been caught trying to ‘coerce’ GPs into saying their patients are fit-for-work – 29 May 2018
DISGRACEFUL: “The DWP left one man so ‘destitute’ that the police had to step in to help him” – The Canary
Dying mum told by DWP to prove for third time that her cancer is terminal – MetroUK
The DWP is in court again and it could ‘open the floodgates’ for countless disabled people – the Canary
OUTRAGEOUS: The DWP has been caught trying to ‘coerce’ GPs into saying their patients are fit-for-work – the Canary – PEOPLE ARE DIEING
The Carol Woods Coverup: Falsely arrested – DWP FRAUD LA2 found out, reported, reprisals offered, threaten eviction 28 March 2018 + archive
The Carol Woods Coverup: Falsely arrested – DWP FRAUD LA2 found out, reported, reprisals offered, threaten eviction 28 March 2018 + archive
DWP goes back to court to block future benefit appeals – 20 Feb. 2018
DWP’s contracted outfit ATOS hardly cut it – “Private Eye” no. 1460 + BENEFIT SANCTIONS + more
The Shocking Carol Woods Coverup: Thefts / DWP fraudsters exposed – 03 Dec. 17 + archive
The Shocking Carol Woods Coverup: DWP Frauds: past and present, Public Monies used to Defraud, Mike Todd murder, + archive 25 Nov. 17
Desperate disabled gran attempted suicide after brutal DWP cuts left her fearing she would lose her home 18 Nov 17 D. Mirror + MUST SEE LINKS
Revealed: DWP’s secret, ‘financially devastating’ proposals for benefits appeals 0 By John Pring on April 21, 2016 Benefits and Poverty Listen The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has drawn up secret plans…