UK says Fujitsu will not seek new public-sector work through frameworks during moratorium
The government told Parliament that Fujitsu has pledged not to pursue contracts with new public-sector customers via framework agreements while its voluntary bidding freeze remains in effect.
Despite being placed on high-value UK government procurement frameworks such as Digital Outcomes and Specialists 7, Technology Services 4 and Transport Technology, Fujitsu has committed to a voluntary ban on bidding for new public-sector customers until the Horizon inquiry concludes. The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee chair, Liam Byrne, sought assurances that the firm would not use its framework slots to win new work, prompting a response from Cabinet Office Parliamentary Secretary Mark Ferguson.
He stated that Fujitsu’s moratorium covers any call-off opportunities that arise from its framework participation and that the Government Commercial Agency is actively overseeing the company's compliance. To date, the GCA reports Fujitsu has respected the self-imposed limits. However, a £125 million contract to build a new land-registry system for Northern Ireland’s Department of Finance was awarded after the moratorium started, raising questions about how the award aligns with Fujitsu’s commitments.
Why it matters
It shows how the UK government is enforcing procurement safeguards on a supplier linked to a major justice scandal.
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