Laura Sharman 02 October 2020

Council leaders call for local track and trace systems

Five council leaders have called on the Government to ditch the private track and trace system.

The cross-party leaders have written to health secretary Matt Hancock calling for him to fund local public health teams to run the system themselves, rather than private companies Serco and Sitel.

Phelim Mac Cafferty, leader of Brighton & Hove Council, said: ‘The funding instead needs to be urgently handed over to local council public health teams like the one here in Brighton and Hove which is helping keep the transmission level low, despite a decade of savage government cuts.’

A recent poll for campaign group We Own It found three-quarters (74%) of people wanted the track and trace system run publicly.

We Own It campaigner Pascale Robinson said: ‘The government’s decision to outsource the system and side step the experience of local public health protection teams was a catastrophic mistake.

’But hope isn’t lost. Matt Hancock and Boris Johnson can turn this around. To do that they need to follow the calls from local council leaders across the country and give local government teams the resources and funding, instead of the failing, remote call centre system.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner