6 December 2005 - DWP and BT realign existing contracts to support a modernised telephone network
The DWP and BT have agreed arrangements which will give the Department a modernised communications network to provide customers with a more reliable, better performing service.
This agreement is a result of a contract realignment which simplifies the complex structure of separate contracts inherited by the DWP when it was created out of the former Department of Social Security and Department for Education and Employment. The realigned contract brings together and standardises the different historical arrangements and ensures competitive, benchmarked prices for the services BT delivers. The services, based on IP communications, takes advantage of the flexibility and effectiveness of BT’s 21st Century Network (21CN) programme, designed to transform the entire communications infrastructure in the UK by the end of this decade.
Commenting on the realigned contract, Leigh Lewis, Permanent Secretary at the DWP, said:
“ This contract realignment is a vital part in the Department’s modernisation programme. It paves the way for the Department to receive the most modern communications infrastructure in the country enabling us to meet increased demand on communications as we become a more customer focused organisation. By 2007/08 the Department will have redeployed 10,000 staff to customer facing posts and this agreement will play a critical part in reaching our £1billion year on year efficiency saving.“
Over the next five and a half years, the Department will be spending around £870m including VAT on services delivered by BT. This will enable the Department to modernise its infrastructure to improve services for customers who are often the most vulnerable in society.
Commenting on the arrangements, Tim Smart, President BT Global Services UK said:
“ We are pleased that we have strengthened our relationship with DWP. This renewed partnership will use BT’s 21st Century Network to deliver efficient, consistent and flexible services, resulting in substantial efficiencies and new capabilities for the Department and its clients. BT’s unrivalled networked IT services capabilities already underpin much of the UK’s government and commercial operations, and will ensure the Department will be able to meet the future needs of its 20 million customers.”
Notes to editors
- BT provide the telephony and data networks which are crucial to every part of the Department in delivering services to our customers
- The realigned contract means that the Department will:
- Receive a new, high quality network with BT providing an end to end managed service
- The new network will be more resilient and provide higher overall levels of services
- Increased band width on average by 5 fold over the life of the contract Maintained infrastructure – Ieading to improved reliability
- The realigned contract with BT means the Department will spend around £870 million including VAT over the next five and a half years on services delivered by BT.
- The improved services will be introduced progressively over a 24 month period so as to maintain business continuity, which is key for our customers and staff. This transition will be the subject of a joint plan and agreed milestones.
- This will generate huge opportunities for the Department’s businesses with greater flexibility in organising work, the potential to virtualise call centres and enable more flexible working.
- The DWP deals with over 20 million customer accounts making 13 million payments every week.
DWP Contacts
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Out of hours 07659 108883
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About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions serving customers in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific. Its principal activities include IT and networking services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services.
For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt
BT Contact
Adam Liversage: 020 7356 5366