18 July 2003
A career civil servant from the Child Support Agency is to take over the helm at the Criminal Records Bureau.
Vince Gaskell, change director at the Child Support Agency, was appointed as the new chief executive of the CRB last week. Gaskell is expected to make 'significant enhancements' to the bureau as it battles to reduce its backlog in criminal checks.
However, he has been the subject of severe criticism in his current post. MPs on the Commons' work and pensions select committee have demanded to see the details of a Private Finance Initiative contract between IT supplier EDS and the agency.
The IT contract is part of the agency's reform programme but is already a year late and has seen a 7% cost increase.
Last year the home secretary had to announce that the project would be delayed until the IT system could operate 'to specified standards'.
'We are not satisfied that this contract has been managed to the best advantage of the British taxpayer,' said Sir Archy Kirkwood, chair of the committee.
PFjul2003
