A4e Chair Steps Down As Cameron Advisor

Emma Harrison, the chair of A4e has stepped down from her role as David Cameron's personal adviser on troubled families.

"I have asked to step aside from my voluntary role as family champion," Harrison said, "I remain passionate about helping troubled families and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute in an area where I have been active for many years."

The move comes after a week of revelations about the welfare-to-work company, which currently holds government contracts worth £120m.

Harrison had been appointed to the position by David Cameron in 2010 despite a fraud inquiry into the company in 2009. Downing St simply said they respected her decision and "thanked her for her work."

Since the general election A4e (previously known as Action for Employment) has won government contracts to run welfare-to-work schemes worth more than £200m, with its five shareholders receiving dividends of £11m last year. £8.6m went to Harrison.

Margaret Hodge, Chairman of the public accounts committee, has called for all of A4eís contracts to be suspended until the outcome of the current police investigation. She said, "There needs to be a clean bill of health before a company such as this is allowed to continue with major government contracts. The committee found that the company and its practices are worrying to say the least."

(H)