BBC News
By Phil Kemp
image copyrightReuters
Dozens of Covid contracts had not been published when Boris Johnson told MPs they were on the record for everyone to see .
The High Court has confirmed that 100 contracts had yet to be revealed at the time the PM made his comments.
Last month, a judge ruled the health secretary had acted unlawfully by not publishing contracts in the required timeframe.
Ministers said remaining contracts would be published as soon as possible.
The Department for Health and Social Care struck deals worth hundreds of millions of pounds during the coronavirus pandemic.
The government is required by law to publish a contract award notice within 30 days of the awarding any contracts for public goods or services worth more than £120,000.
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Personal protective equipment like masks and gloves are the last line of defence for healthcare workers on the frontline, preventing them from getting infected by the Covid patients they care for. But how protected are the factory workers who make these products? Phil Kemp investigates claims that exhausted migrant workers in Malaysia have worked up to 12 hours a day, 29 days a month to produce the gloves so desperately needed in hospitals around the world, with some exposed to outbreaks themselves at work.
Reporter: Phil Kemp
by Stephen Chapman
Bruntwood Scitech has seen its turnover rise 34.5% (£40.1m) over the last financial year.
The owner of science and technology developments in Manchester, Liverpool and Alderley Park also saw its portfolio value increase to £526.8m (2019: £438.2m). However, while its gross profit has risen to £9.9m, it reported pre-tax losses of £7.6m (2019: £20.1m profit).
“The UK’s science and technology sectors have been two bright spots amid the economic challenges of the pandemic, as well as remaining central to the country’s long-term growth prospects. And our proposition is perfectly aligned to supporting each sector’s opportunities today and in the future,” stated Chris Oglesby, Bruntwood SciTech’ Executive Chairman.
BBC News
By Phil Kemp
image captionThe gowns ordered from PPE Medpro were similar to that pictured here
Millions of medical gowns bought for the NHS at the end of the first lockdown for £122m have never been used.
The gowns were ordered by the government from a supplier which had set up just a month earlier, and no other companies were asked to bid for the contract.
The supplier, PPE Medpro, says it had met the agreed terms.
The Department of Health said all PPE must undergo rigorous checks.
PPE Medpro was set up as a company in May while the UK was still in the first coronavirus lockdown.
BBC News
By Phil Kemp
image captionThe gowns ordered from PPE Medpro were similar to that pictured here
Millions of medical gowns bought for the NHS at the end of the first lockdown for £122m have never been used.
The gowns were ordered by the government from a supplier which had set up just a month earlier, and no other companies were asked to bid for the contract.
The supplier, PPE Medpro, says it had met the agreed terms.
The Department of Health said all PPE must undergo rigorous checks.
PPE Medpro was set up as a company in May while the UK was still in the first coronavirus lockdown.