Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2019 to Question 254799, what steps his Department has taken to meet its Commercial Strategy objective on strengthening commercial management of key suppliers, managing performance, relationships and risks in relation to Working Links sub-contractors still owed money for services delivered.

DWP is currently implementing two change programmes – the Contract Management Capability Programme and Strategic Supplier Relationship Management - to support further improvements in commercial and contract management capability across the department.

DWP continues to use the Merlin service to provide assurance of suppliers and supply chains in the Employment and Health Categories.

All Working Links subcontractors delivering Departmental services have been issued a letter from the Department advising them to contact the Administrator should there be monies owed to them by Working Links.