HS2 contractors referred to taxman over provide of staff
The corporate constructing the HS2 rail line between London and Birmingham has reported certainly one of its subcontractors to the tax authorities over potential fraud.
Whistleblowers made allegations over the way in which pay was dealt with for some development employees on the high-speed line.
HS2 Ltd stated final month it was conducting its personal investigation, wanting into two corporations who provided it with staff. The corporate has now additionally referred the matter to HMRC.
The corporations in query have been offering staff to Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV), a contractor for HS2.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is predicted to boost the problem in Parliament this week. It’s the newest problem to beset the troubled big rail infrastructure undertaking.
HS2 has confronted myriad challenges and spiralling prices because it was first introduced in 2009.
It was initially designed to spice up capability on the railways between the north and south of England however the final, Conservative, authorities determined to scrap the second section of the undertaking, which included constructing strains to Manchester and Leeds.
Earlier this 12 months whistleblowers flagged issues over the way in which some subcontracted employees have been being paid. They stated self-employed staff had been falsely declared as salaried employees, with “pretend” payslips submitted at a better payrate. The allegations have been first revealed within the i newspaper in Could.
One of many labour suppliers is known to stay suspended from new contracts whereas inquiries proceed.
An HS2 spokesperson stated: “We deal with all whistleblower allegations critically and are persevering with to conduct our personal investigation.”
The agency stated it inspired anybody with related info to report it through confidential inside channels.
The Division for Transport stated final month it had “a zero-tolerance perspective in the direction of fraud, bribery, and corruption” and would guarantee any claims of wrongdoing have been totally investigated.
