A private company contracted to provide court interpreters in England and Wales has faced thousands of pounds in penalties for poor performance. The Ministry of Justice withheld £46,319 in payments from Capita between May 2012 and November 2013, according to a National Audit Office report.
Judges also filed orders totalling £7,229 to cover costs incurred when translators failed to attend court. The contract was originally awarded to Applied Language Solutions (ALS), which Capita acquired in early 2012, leading to widespread disruptions in courtroom trials due to staff shortages.
The report noted improvements since the end of 2012, when MPs described the situation as 'total chaos'. However, Capita missed its target of fulfilling 98% of interpreter requests. Performance dipped in early 2013 after mileage rates for interpreters were cut, but improved after a revised package was agreed.
Between August and November 2013, 94% to 95% of bookings were honoured. Labour MP Margaret Hodge, chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said she was 'unimpressed' that targets were still not met, adding that the service is vital for fair access to justice.
Conservative Justice Minister Shailesh Vara highlighted 'dramatic improvements' and claimed the contract saved taxpayers £15m in its first year. But shadow justice minister Andy Slaughter called it a 'disgrace' that ministers had not resolved the issues after two years. Capita stated that fulfilment rates were now tracking towards the target level.
