Cliff Notes
- An investigation into whistleblower allegations is focusing on two labour suppliers for the HS2 rail project, concerning misclassification and inflated billing rates for workers.
- HS2 Ltd is treating the allegations seriously, having launched the inquiry and implemented additional monitoring and controls through contractor Balfour Beatty Vinci, who is not accused of wrongdoing.
- The Department for Transport reaffirms its commitment to thoroughly investigate claims of fraud and corruption within HS2’s supply chain, as project costs continue to escalate.
HS2: Investigation launched into two firms supplying construction workers | Politics News
An investigation has been launched into “whistleblower allegations” about the practices of some “labour suppliers” to the company building the embattled HS2 rail line.
HS2 Ltd is investigating two companies that supply workers to build part of the London to Birmingham section of the line, which the i Paper, which first reported the story, says relates to the billing for the staff supplied.
The company, which is owned by the government, says it “treats all whistleblower allegations seriously” and launched an investigation earlier this year, while the Department for Transport adds that it will ensure any claims of wrongdoing are “thoroughly investigated”.
More headaches for Starmer
The paper reports that the allegations relate to staff being misclassified, and therefore an inflated rate being charged to employ them.
It is understood the two firms under investigation were providing workers to one of HS2’s contractors on the West Midlands section of the line, Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV), which is not accused of wrongdoing.
