The Submit Workplace has delayed signing the Horizon software program substitute contract for the sixth time, with sources claiming the shedding bidder is difficult the award.
In the meantime, subpostmasters have accused Fujitsu of “taking its foot off the pedal” after it misplaced the contract however retained the function within the interim.
The formal signing of the contract with OneView Commerce has now been delayed six instances for the reason that award was first introduced in Could. The earlier standstill interval, which expired yesterday, has been prolonged to 21 August, with the earliest it may very well be signed off now 22 August.
Anxiousness is rising amongst subpostmasters as delays in changing the software program on the centre of the Submit Workplace scandal trigger uncertainty.
In Could, the Submit Workplace introduced that suppliers Accenture and OneView Commerce would exchange Fujitsu and Horizon, with Accenture taking Lot 1 of the contract, a £322.8m contract to run Horizon, and Lot 2 to switch the software program, value £169.2m, going to cloud-based digital level of sale (EPOS) provider OneView Commerce.
Whereas the Accenture contract was formally signed off, the contract signing with OneView Commerce has been repeatedly delayed.
One supply mentioned he understands that the contract is being challenged by the unsuccessful bidder shortlisted for the contract, Escher.
Escher has historical past with the Submit Workplace. As a part of the controversial Horizon system, the Submit Workplace used middleware from Escher, generally known as Riposte, onto which the Fujitsu-designed software program was written. There isn’t any suggestion the Escher software program was at fault, however a supply, who labored on the event of the unique Horizon system within the Nineties, informed Laptop Weekly in 2021 that the massive flaw in Horizon was the way in which knowledge was being written to Riposte.
Delays trigger anxiousness for hundreds of subpostmasters
A subpostmaster, who wished to stay nameless, informed Laptop Weekly: “These steady standstill delays on the brand new system are so punishing for us. We’re being left to run our companies on a system managed by an organization that already has one foot out the door.”
He added: “There’s a very actual sense on the bottom that Fujitsu is testing as a result of they know they’re shedding the contract.”
These delays are so punishing for us. We’re being left to run our companies on a system managed by an organization that already has one foot out the door Subpostmaster
The subpostmaster mentioned the degradation in every day efficiency of Horizon is noticeable: “It seems like Fujitsu has utterly taken its foot off the fuel for the reason that substitute was confirmed. Earlier than, the system was dangerous, however not less than there was a pretence of assist. Now, it seems like they’re simply operating down the clock. When issues crash or glitch, getting a decision takes for much longer.”
There may be at all times a danger of diminishing service high quality throughout interim durations between suppliers, in response to Simon Hoare MP. Throughout a current joint Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) listening to investigating Capita’s botched Civil Service pension contract, PACAC chair Hoare talked concerning the dangers of ending a contract with a provider whereas a brand new one is being sought.
He identified that in the course of the interim interval, outgoing suppliers lose incentive. “What’s at this time a nasty state of affairs then abruptly will get 10 instances worse,” he mentioned.
A Fujitsu spokesperson mentioned: “Horizon is a extremely advanced system made up of about 40 totally different functions, which at the moment helps practically 10,000 Submit Workplace branches throughout the nation. We proceed to work with the Submit Workplace to take care of Horizon and ship vital providers as they transfer to a brand new supply mannequin.”
The Submit Workplace mentioned: “At this time we talk overtly and transparently with postmasters by publishing any points that would have a big operational affect, or any monetary affect in any respect, on our Department Hub platform. The newest challenge to be revealed was in early June.
“We absolutely recognise how irritating it’s for postmasters and our companions if Horizon isn’t functioning because it ought to. It’s vital to recognise that generally points may be brought on by exterior components similar to a lack of connectivity impacting mobile connection to the community or a accomplice experiencing an outage meaning we can’t course of a transaction on their behalf till their challenge is mounted.”
A UK authorities spokesperson mentioned: “Whereas the Submit Workplace is targeted on transferring away from Fujitsu and Horizon to a brand new system, they proceed to observe Horizon to make sure that the system is secure and dependable. Any subpostmaster experiencing points with the present Horizon IT system must be raised with Submit Workplace, who will absolutely examine any points raised.”
The Submit Workplace scandal was first uncovered by Laptop Weekly in 2009, revealing the tales of seven subpostmasters and the issues they suffered because of the accounting software program (see timeline of Laptop Weekly articles concerning the scandal under).
