Police probe New Deal firm

By Paul Carter

A company tasked with assisting disabled people into work is being investigated by police after allegations of fraud.

The Dutch firm Maatwerk, which had offices in Manchester, was part of the government’s New Deal for Disabled People, but has since been removed from the scheme.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions, which administers the New Deal, said it “takes all allegations of impropriety by its suppliers very seriously”.

She said: “We have concluded enquiries and passed all evidence to Greater Manchester Police. As this is a criminal investigation we are unable to provide further comment.”

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that it was investigating the allegations.

A police spokeswoman said: “GMP has been passed details of an investigation regarding allegations of fraud by a recruitment company that used to be based in Manchester city centre.

“Officers will be reviewing the information they've been given, and will be taking the file to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) for further consideration.”
Inquiries are ongoing, she said.