News
TRANSLATORS for foreign criminals have cost £63.8million in three years, figures show.
Non-English speakers need legal papers translated and require an interpreter for trial proceedings.
Translators have cost NHS Tayside more than £364,000 in the past year.
Father-of-four Ben Mbeva, 48, has worked for AA Global since January interpreting for Swahili-speaking patients attending GP appointments in Hull.
As part of his freelance contract, Mr Mbeva is paid £15 per consultation he attends, which can last up to an hour, but is not paid for his travel expenses.
According to Mr Mbeva, he was fined £40 for taking a sick day and was asked for a doctor's note to explain his absence, which he was unable to show.
Somerset County Council will spend "in the region of £980,000" on translators and related projects over the next four years.
The council's current contracts for translation and interpretation expire on September 1, meaning new provision must be sought before that date.
