Rural payments IT firm seeks to start '˜new era'

A company involved in the controversial £178 million IT system at the centre of a storm over delayed payments to farmers has set out plans to create more than 300 jobs in Scotland.

Tory leader Ruth Davidson addressed a farmers' rally at Holyrood earlier this month. Picture: Hemedia

Software developer Spectromax, a contractor on the system set up to administer EU common agricultural policy (CAP) payouts, said it would deliver the new roles over the next three to six months “to facilitate public sector IT projects in Scotland”.

The company, which has been accused of bringing in contractors to replace existing staff on the CAP support system, said it has eight projects under consideration, with two “major initiatives” in advanced stages, for which it expects to use “local IT talent” north of the Border.

Spectromax also said it plans to roll out a free six-month training programme across the UK, starting in Edinburgh.

“The Spectromax Scotland training programme will be run by industry veterans and those working day-to-day in the IT industry, with the support of established system integrators,” the firm said.

Spectromax Scotland chief executive Bhuwan Kaushik added: “As part of our training programme, we’re looking to begin a new IT era.

“We believe that with the right approach, UK IT companies like ourselves can generate a more sophisticated IT workforce, close the UK skills gap, and create a more prosperous economy by keeping IT projects onshore – something that will benefit both businesses and end users across the UK.”

Farmers angered by the delays in CAP payments rallied outside the Scottish Parliament earlier this month, with politicians including the Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and Lib Dem agricultural spokesman Tavish Scott also addressing the event.

During a recent Holyrood debate, Margaret McDougall, the Labour MSP for West Scotland, said the situation with delayed CAP payments and the spiralling costs of the IT system was “nothing short of scandalous”.

She said: “The new IT system was meant to make the process easier and more efficient. Instead, there have been significant delays and a massive increase in cost. It is now expected that the total cost of the system will be around £178m, which is 74 per cent higher than originally forecast.”

Rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead told the debate: “I have worked flat out for the farmers and crofters in Scotland and I will continue to do that in the times ahead to get a better return from the market and ensure that the payments get out the door as quickly as possible.”