Billions of pounds of contracts to deliver the UK government’s new unemployment services in Scotland have been awarded to private companies instead of the third sector. The Wise Group, one of the country’s biggest third sector agencies in the field, was widely expected to be one of two lead contractors for the scheme in Scotland. But both contracts went to private companies – Ingeus and Working Links. Only two voluntary organisations were chosen as lead contractors for the Work Programme throughout the UK. Reports and comment: Herald SCVO.  A legal challenge may ensue, though the DWP says “We are working with the Wise Group to see where they could be involved”