The Government is being urged to establish a new code of conduct for the delivery of public services by private companies in the wake of construction giant Carillion’s collapse.
Unison said its preferred option was for services to be provided in-house, but it called for a new set of principles to be introduced when the private sector is given contracts.
In a letter to the Government, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said companies receiving taxpayers’ money to deliver public services should abide by principles including integrity, openness and accountability.
He said: “Selflessness and integrity mean there can be no place for companies that use tax havens, that blacklist workers for belonging to unions, make it hard for unions to represent the workforce, and generate profits by attacking pay and terms and conditions.
“The principles of accountability and openness require full transparency. This means that all procurement information should be available online – including tender documentation, bids and all signed and amended contracts.”