Ministry of Justice re-considers its fine-outsourcing plans

The Ministry of Justice has has a 're-consideration' of its intention to outsource the collection of court fines to a single supplier.

In a written statement, Shailesh Vara, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Minister for the Courts and Legal Aid, said: "In the last financial year HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) collected over £550m of fines, other financial impositions, fixed penalties and orders, and that money has helped to fund vital services for taxpayers. "To build on this work, in July 2013 my department began a procurement competition for a new provider of criminal court compliance and enforcement services, and a preferred bidder was identified in January 2015. "Following re-consideration of the department’s requirements, we have decided that outsourcing these services to a single supplier is not the best option for HM Courts and Tribunals Service. This decision is based on the need to ensure that any contract we let completely meets our requirements, provides best value for the taxpayer and complies with procurement law. "Ministers have set out the importance of reforming HMCTS to provide a modern and efficient service for society. Improving compliance and enforcement services will continue to form a key part of that work. We believe that in house modernisation is the best option for HMCTS."

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