The corporate constructing the HS2 rail line between London and Birmingham has reported certainly one of its subcontractors to the tax authorities over doable fraud.
Whistleblowers made allegations over the best way pay was dealt with for some building workers on the high-speed line.
HS2 Ltd stated final month it was conducting its personal investigation, trying into two companies who provided it with staff. The corporate has now additionally referred the matter to HMRC.
The companies in query had been offering staff to Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV), a contractor for HS2.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is anticipated to boost the difficulty in Parliament this week. It’s the newest problem to beset the troubled large rail infrastructure venture.
HS2 has confronted myriad challenges and spiralling prices because it was first introduced in 2009.
It was initially designed to spice up capability on the railways between the north and south of England however the final, Conservative, authorities determined to scrap the second part of the venture, which included constructing traces to Manchester and Leeds.
Earlier this 12 months whistleblowers flagged issues over the best way some subcontracted workers had been being paid. They stated self-employed staff had been falsely declared as salaried workers, with “fake” payslips submitted at the next payrate. The allegations had been first revealed within the i newspaper in Could.
One of many labour suppliers is known to stay suspended from new contracts whereas inquiries proceed.
An HS2 spokesperson stated: “We treat all whistleblower allegations seriously and are continuing to conduct our own investigation.”
The agency stated it inspired anybody with related info to report it through confidential inside channels.
The Division for Transport stated final month it had “a zero-tolerance attitude towards fraud, bribery, and corruption” and would guarantee any claims of wrongdoing had been completely investigated.
