‘Misstep after misstep' | Rec firm at centre of COVID-19 tracing row

A recruitment firm has been caught up in a row over the coronavirus tracing app, after applicants set to become contact tracers for the NHS were informed that recruitment efforts were on hold while the UK Government considered an alternative app.

According to The Guardian, ministers have since been accused of ‘misstep after misstep’ due to the change in circumstances.

Despite this, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove stated yesterday that the track and trace scheme would be ready to launch nationwide by the end of May, with just over 17,000 contact tracers already hired.

However, in emails obtained by The Guardian, which were sent this weekend by one of the private-sector firms heading up the recruitment process, recruitment firm HR Go stated that hiring had been put on hold.