NUBSLI have been a passed leaked insolvency document by Pearl Linguistics, the company that went into liquidation two weeks ago leaving the BSL community without access to many public services, including NHS healthcare (you can read our Nub post here). This document clearly exposes the race to the bottom being forced through by government and the lack of consideration shown for both service users and workers.
When NUBSLI first reported on the framework agreements being proposed, and set up our #ScrapTheFramework campaign, many people believed we were scaremongering. This document vindicates our fears and highlights the fact that these frameworks are simply unworkable.
What is a framework agreement?
The Constructing Excellence website defines it as:
“A framework is an agreement with suppliers to establish terms governing contracts that may be awarded during the life of the agreement. In other words, it is a general term for agreements that set out terms and conditions for making specific purchases (call-offs)”.
How many are there for BSL/English interpreting?
There are currently three main frameworks for BSL/English interpreting. They are:
- Crown Commercial Services (these cover public service, such as social services etc)
- Ministry of Justice (covering courts etc)
- NHS Shared Business Services (covering hospitals and GP surgeries etc)
We will be asking Unite the Union to support us to call for them to be scrapped with immediate effect.