ABSTRACT
Experience shows that potentially corrupt or fraudulent activities in IT projects in government rarely reach the point of exposure to the public eye. Even when they are exposed, it is often far too long after the event for appropriate action to satisfy the taxpayer that their taxes are properly protected from fraud or corruption by the officials who are spending them. While some facilities management functions are relatively straightforward and therefore perhaps less prone to fraud and corruption in the public sector, some functions almost appear to be 'open season' for contractors to attempt to 'rip off' the government, agencies and/or local authorities. Shared services have become a model for attempted efficiencies for agencies, local and health authorities. One well-known Whitehall organisation a few years back decided to run a competitive process to see if its security guarding functions for itself and on behalf of others in Whitehall, should remain in-house or be outsourced.
