Revenue and Customs merge IT contracts

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has integrated the two separate IT contracts that were in place before the merger of the Customs & Excise and Inland Revenue departments last year.

The old Customs & Excise IT contract held by Fujitsu Services will now become part of the 10-year £3bn Aspire IT services contract awarded to Capgemini by the Inland Revenue at the end of 2003.

Under the new arrangement Capgemini will continue to be HMRC's main IT supplier with Fujitsu Services the key sub-contractor.

HMRC has also extended the Aspire contract to include a new data centre, enhanced print services and a new support centre for the department's 100,000 employees.

Paul Hermelin, group CEO of Capgemini said in a statement: "Technology will be a key enabler for HMRC’s ambitious change agenda, so this is further evidence that Capgemini continues to make good progress in our market place."