Coronavirus: Hancock defends private firm marketing test and trace package to councils

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Health secretary Matt Hancock has defended contractors Deloitte after the private firm was accused of “profiteering” for marketing coronavirus contact tracing services to local public health officials. The company, which receives significant government funding to deliver Covid-19 testing, has formed a partnership with US software firm Salesforce to deliver a “local test and trace solution” to town halls. “Even the NHS Test and Trace’s own delivery companies clearly can’t believe this shambles is working.” Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth demanded to know why the government was permitting the approaches by Deloitte, a “big four” consulting firm which is one of several private-sector contractors to be given lucrative work as part of the £10bn test and trace programme. “Deloitte, who are contracted by the government to help run test and trace, are now trying to sell contract tracing services to local councils,” Mr Ashworth told the House of Commons.