UK child care organisation 'appointed on merit'

One of the companies at the centre of a row over child care tendering has been awarded a contract ahead of an Island charity.

UK based Family Action will run a new family support service for vulnerable children and families from next month, taking over from The Children’s Centre.

It’s the same organisation which was awarded a similar contract 13 months ago, only for it to be immediately withdrawn due to an alleged conflict of interest.

Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle has defended the decision and says it's now been appointed after a fresh independent tendering process.