Thread by @allthecitizens

Thread:

Have public servants been profiting from the pandemic while at the same time holding roles influencing pandemic policy?

The Behavioural Insights Unit is working closely on pandemic response, but should we be concerned its director sits on the SAGE advisory board?

We know that the BIT won 2 contracts in September totalling £1,162,000 for “Business analysis consultancy” and “research and experimental development services” providing behavioural science support during the pandemic:

contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/eea2276…

contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/21a2a10…

We know that BIT or the ‘Nudge Unit’ - Behavioural Insights Ltd - works across the public sector to influence policy and inform public opinion.

BIT is part owned by its employees, part by the Cabinet Office, and part by Nesta ‘an innovation foundation.’

bi.team/what-we-do/our…

The BIT was set up under David Cameron, and became a Ltd company in 2014, and was the first of its kind where privatised ex-civil servants advised policy, working with both governments and the private sector.

The move was reported at the time as being "the first of many policy teams to be spun off as part of plans to shrink central government and create a private enterprise culture in Whitehall”

ft.com/content/571eef…

We know Chief Exec and BIT Ltd CEO David Halpern currently sits on the SAGE committee - the influential health committee that directs the government’s pandemic response.

What we don’t know is how much money Halpern might make personally from the £1,162,000 contract BIT just won.

We don’t know how much other ex-government employees might make either.

Director Nicky Kerr is ex-Cabinet Office, as is Michael Halsworth. Another, Janet Baker, is still with the C.O. And the new M.D, Rachel Coyle, is ex-Ministry of Defence. How much money are they making?

Certainly, BIT profiting from pandemic contracts raises concerns of conflict-of-interest, and having a CEO on SAGE raises major questions. The contract was not open to competitive tender and none of the above was made public by SAGE or by BIT.

Did this concern you? Are you willing to help @allthecitizens reveal more concerning Covid-19 contracts lacking in due diligence and oversight? If so, please see the thread below to find out how you can help contribute and hold those in power to account:

https://twitter.com/allthecitizens/status/1319601008457154565?s=20