Private security firms hired to electronically tag criminals will not have been able to overcharge the Scottish Government due to regular audits, it has been claimed.
It emerged on Thursday that private security firms Servo and G4S had both overcharged the UK Government by tens of millions of pounds for electronically monitoring criminals in England and Wales and had even billed them for tags that were never used.
One of the companies, G4S, which was heavily criticised for its handling of security at last year’s Olympics, now faces a criminal investigation after the UK Government reported it to the Serious Fraud Office for refusing to take part in an additional investigation to rule out any dishonesty.
A Scottish Government spokesman said there are regular audits of the service north of the border to ensure value for money.
She said: “The Scottish Government is satisfied with the billing processes in place, both under the current contract with G4S and under the previous contract with Serco.
“Should any practices arise that give cause for concern then the appropriate action would be taken either under contractual remedies or, if required, by reporting the circumstances to law enforcement agencies.
“We routinely audit the electronic monitoring service provider in Scotland to ensure that the service, as it is set out in the electronic monitoring contract, is the service that is being delivered.”
A UK Government-wide review of all contracts held by Serco and G4S has now been launched but it is unlikely there will be a similar investigation in Scotland.
Serco was awarded a five-year contract to electronically tag and monitor criminals in Scotland in 2006 and this was later extended to 2013.
The new £13 million contract, which began in April this year, was then awarded to G4S.