The devious department

摘要

In february 2003 the government launched Achieving Excellence in Construction. The aim was to transform the state into a best practice client. That involved public sector procurers agreeing common minimum standards with suppliers, such as a commitment to pay all money properly due promptly and according to the relevant contractual provisions. This came too late for the Ruttle group of companies in Lancashire. They specialise in hiring out and transporting plant and machinery, with or without attendant labour, for civil engineering, landscaping and road laying work. The group had a long history of acting for the public sector.