£500m Government contract for EDS

The Department of Employment and Education has agreed to extend the contract with the Employment Service's IT partner, EDS in a deal worth over £500 million.

Minister for Employment, Tessa Jowell said: "The Employment Service Internet job bank is one of the largest in the world with round the clock access to over 300,000 vacancies across Britain, Europe and other countries. For the first time, Jobcentres and jobseekers will have national access to every vacancy held by the Employment Service. The programme will also allow employers to advertise their vacancies throughout the UK.

"This is a clear demonstration that the promises made in the Modernising Government agenda for 24 hour electronic access to public services, can and will be delivered."

The programme will include:

- new computers and supporting software for all 1,000 Jobcentres,

- touch screen kiosks in all Jobcentres to search the Employment Service Internet job bank;

- a national vacancy taking and handling service for employers provided through a single national telephone number; and

- a redesigned Employment Service website with fresh content and easy navigation.

The funding for the contract is reported to come in part from the Employment Service's existing budget, from efficiency and effectiveness savings resulting from the modernisation programme and from the Treasury Capital Modernisation Fund.

The installation of new PCs in Jobcentres will be completed in

January 2001. The Employment Service Internet job bank will become operational during November 2000. It will be accessible through

Jobcentre advisers, kiosks and the Employment Service website.