Rebecca Long-Bailey MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, speaking after the Opposition Day Debate on Concentrix, where the Government refused to push the debate to a vote, said:

“The Government continues to be on the back foot on this issue. First came the announcement that they were not renewing the contract in response to pressure from Labour. Then last week Concentrix staff were informed that the service was being brought back in-house after this was raised also by Labour. Today we welcome again that the Government now has conceded to Labour in our call for a comprehensive investigation into the performance of Concentrix and the chaotic handling of the contract.

“This is not simply a case of a slap on the back of the hand for Concentrix and lets all move on. Instead, this is about the duty of Government to preserve justice being abandoned by the profit motive this contract provided. The risks here were real human risks, families forced into destitution, anguish, despair and all of the associated pressures on an individual’s mental health.

“The Government now needs to act in good faith and announce when a full public investigation will take place, and full comprehensive details of their plans to reimburse those recipients who have lost out due to their failure on this issue.”