You are probably correct, but everything about this pandemic has been carried out in an atmosphere of panic. JFDI seems to be the order of every day and nobody is looking at the accounts. It started with PPI, moved on to ventilators and Nightingale Hospitals and is now on to vaccines - where we've ordered hundreds of millions of doses without knowing if they're effective. This is being treated as a war situation where we're all fighting for our lives, and the cost is seen to be irrelevant.
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[Politics] Any views on the Government giving out untendered contracts on PPE?
- Thread starter WATFORD zero
- Start date
You are probably correct, but everything about this pandemic has been carried out in an atmosphere of panic. JFDI seems to be the order of every day and nobody is looking at the accounts. It started with PPI, moved on to ventilators and Nightingale Hospitals and is now on to vaccines - where we've ordered hundreds of millions of doses without knowing if they're effective. This is being treated as a war situation where we're all fighting for our lives, and the cost is seen to be irrelevant.
- Jul 10, 2003
- 26,096
- Thread starter
- #22
I'll agree I was wary of starting this thread because every thread I have started in the last 12 months that has been critical of the Government has been moved off the main board.
However, I did, and this hasn't, so what do you think about the thread title?
You know what?
I'm willing to forgive much of what I've read, although I'l confess that I've not delved deep into the detail.
Given the global shortage of PPE, if the UK government had NOT taken, frankly, punts to get hold of what the NHS needed then there would be threads on here along the lines of "Can you believe the government insisted on going down their usual lengthy tender and procurement process when the NHS was crying out for PPE as soon as possible? There was even a company able to source and provide what was required, and Boris and his useless mates didn't take it."
And, the testing system is a machine of numerous moving parts (of which Serco is one small bit), and I've read praise from logistics experts at how many differing companies have combined to deliver a seamless experience in most cases.
Yes, we reached our limits to test in early September, but we still had built capacity in excess of many similar-sized nations, and that has continued to grow. The trace and isolate part of the whole system has clearly been disappointing, but I'm not going to throw too much mud without knowing more about that.
And, again, there simply would not have been time to go through usual tender process to get this up and running in the timescales desired, and I'm pretty sure the OP is one of those who has poured scorn on the time it did take to get operational. You can't have it both ways.
I'm no fan of Johnson and the current government, but we were in pretty exceptional circumstances and decisions needed to be made fast. Once this entire shitshow is over, and a thorough review of the UK's performance can be undertaken, that will be the time to assess things like this.
I'm willing to forgive much of what I've read, although I'l confess that I've not delved deep into the detail.
Given the global shortage of PPE, if the UK government had NOT taken, frankly, punts to get hold of what the NHS needed then there would be threads on here along the lines of "Can you believe the government insisted on going down their usual lengthy tender and procurement process when the NHS was crying out for PPE as soon as possible? There was even a company able to source and provide what was required, and Boris and his useless mates didn't take it."
And, the testing system is a machine of numerous moving parts (of which Serco is one small bit), and I've read praise from logistics experts at how many differing companies have combined to deliver a seamless experience in most cases.
Yes, we reached our limits to test in early September, but we still had built capacity in excess of many similar-sized nations, and that has continued to grow. The trace and isolate part of the whole system has clearly been disappointing, but I'm not going to throw too much mud without knowing more about that.
And, again, there simply would not have been time to go through usual tender process to get this up and running in the timescales desired, and I'm pretty sure the OP is one of those who has poured scorn on the time it did take to get operational. You can't have it both ways.
I'm no fan of Johnson and the current government, but we were in pretty exceptional circumstances and decisions needed to be made fast. Once this entire shitshow is over, and a thorough review of the UK's performance can be undertaken, that will be the time to assess things like this.
Shooting Star
Well-known member
Considering the mass hysteria about the lack of PPE, I'm not really surprised the government moved heaven and earth to make sure they got what was needed. I think given the choice at the time, most people would have taken the "spend whatever money it costs to get the PPE we need" line. Bit easy to wag our fingers at the govt. in hindsight - we can't have it both ways.
Agree with everything apart from the highlighted bit. The vaccines are certainly effective. How effective (50-95%?) uncertain.
But....we had access to PPE and turned it down. HMG wanted it sourced by the chosen consultants. That much I know. If there is any more ordure it will emerge. Nobody will care though.
To be fair, loath Boris and chums as I do, I expect this was cock up rather than conspiracy. Getting a good Brexit deal would be a good conspiracy. Sadly I don't think they have a conspiracy in them. Even a shit one.
darkwolf666
Well-known member
I gave you a big thumbs up, as like you I agree we are living in extraordinary times and speed was of the essence.
However this same speed of thought hasn’t been shown throughout, with heels constantly dragged over making decisions.
I’m not really sure what a review or public enquiry will achieve, apart from to confirm we were caught with our pants down!
portslade seagull
Well-known member
Usual culprits out to hit whatever decisions are made in what was a state of panic. The same ones no doubt who were shouting loudest due to the lack of PPE for the frontline workers which probably prompted these contracts
Cheshire Cat
The most curious thing..
Panic buying.
Stupid idea, asking to be ripped off and defrauded.
Why not give them Boris Johnson's mother's maiden name at the same time, plus his date of birth and first line of his address.
Stupid idea, asking to be ripped off and defrauded.
Why not give them Boris Johnson's mother's maiden name at the same time, plus his date of birth and first line of his address.
dejavuatbtn
Well-known member
Loadsamoney!
Pretty pink fairy
Banned
- Jan 30, 2008
- 31,981
nicko31
Well-known member
Quite funny how some people on this thread not only enjoy being lied to by the government but also enjoy being ripped off by them
My 45 quid I refused to pay for PPV has been passed to The Good Law project
There are individuals that need to give us answers
My 45 quid I refused to pay for PPV has been passed to The Good Law project
There are individuals that need to give us answers
CaptainDaveUK
Well-known member
- Oct 18, 2010
- 1,510
No different from someone bulk buying hand sanitisers and then selling them at £20 a pop on eBay. Buying millions of products from a factory, flogging them to the government at inflated prices and pocket £21M is surely profiteering and should be against the law
At least this Spanish company delivered the PPE. One can see why the govt grabbed what they could. It's the contracts granted to companies that could never deliver adequate kit that is scandalous.
Any Tory supporter who doesn't think that is a big deal is either fronting it to save face or is deep under Boris's spell. They have wasted billions on useless contracts over this last 8 months. It's criminal. Or it bloody well should be.
Any Tory supporter who doesn't think that is a big deal is either fronting it to save face or is deep under Boris's spell. They have wasted billions on useless contracts over this last 8 months. It's criminal. Or it bloody well should be.
darkwolf666
Well-known member
I can’t speak for anyone else, and it’s not the fault of the current incumbents of power directly, but I point you towards Exercise Cygnus. The writing was on the wall for the problems that would be encountered in a pandemic. Government decided to ignore those warnings, with an apparent belief it would never happen here.
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail...
I would think the whole world was caught with its pants down wouldn’t you say?
sydney
tinky ****in winky
criminally negligent fraud.......by the govt and by those claiming to be able to supply millions of pounds worth of equipment knowing full well they couldn't.
keaton
Big heart, hot blood and balls. Big balls
- Nov 18, 2004
- 9,715
I get that in March and April we had to do something quick. but the government are still giving millions of pounds worth of contracts, without proper tendering, to companies for services they don't normally provide who happen to be owned by donors and friends of the party.
sydney
tinky ****in winky
thats the nail on the head .....one theory is they are making sure all close associates are well looked after for the coming shit storm ....it's happening all over the world.
nicko31
Well-known member
The money this government have wasted this year is beyond belief and we're not just talking PPE contracts for mates.
Its little surprise the UK just late month received another credit downgrade, the primary driver "a weakening in the UK’s institutions and governance".
The people in charge are simply out of their depth, a younger generation will pay the price