ORIGIN MOONSHOT

​Origin Packaging are a Hull based pharma packaging company. In November 2020 they were awarded a £115 million Covid contract by DHSC. A contract awarded via the Test & Trace VIP Channel. I have followed their accounts over last 3 years, what happened with this contract is a mystery!

As per my original blog Origin had already been awarded a Covid contract for £5 million and records suggest this contract was delivered. Origin accounts clearly show that they were investing heavily in new premises in Scunthorpe and updating labs in Hull.

​Origin appeared to be a great success story with local Tory MP David Davis visiting the premises in April 2021 and highlighting the investment and the help in the pandemic. This would have been as the supply for £115 million contract had commenced.

​When I looked at Origin accounts over the last 3 years, I could find no evidence in the company turnover that they had delivered this contract. Which would be odd considering the MP visit, investment etc.
​I then noticed a comment in reply to David Davis Facebook Post Which would appear to confirm contract not completed.

What I find odd is if the business had invested heavily in facilities and stock, why is there no compensation payments or media coverage. Why would the business not make more out of a contract not happening?
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If it was down to Origin then why would they then be included in a massive £3 billion framework agreement just weeks later? It is also worth noting that Origin related company Snappd, has the same Australian business address as Medco Solutions. Another covid contract mystery!!

Since starting this investigation, I have been informed by another source that the Origin contract was cancelled along with a number of other Operation Moonshot contracts awarded by the Government.

UPDATE

This story has taken another twist since our initial investigation. In December 2023 we found that Origin Packaging had started legal proceeding against the Secretary of State for the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC). We await a further update to see if this is in regard to the cancelled contract.