Government Minister Andrew Smith has announced the names of four preferred bidders for its pilot 'One' programme to integrate jobs and benefits services.

He announced the names of the partnerships the Government is opening negotiations with for the private/voluntary sector lead in four additional pilot areas of the new ONE project gateway to the welfare system.

Accepting the recommendations of the evaluation board which had examined the competitive tenders, Mr Smith said: "ONE is at the cutting edge of welfare reform and these radical and innovative pilots will involve the bidders finally selected working in partnership with the Benefits Agency, Employment Service and local authorities to deliver a single point of access to jobs and benefits.

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