Work

D - Looks like i'm going to have to feebly admit defeat for now, sign the poxy contract and deal with the mental stress, self-loathing and worthlessness for now. Contract & HBS are shite

Nevermind, C is getting back to work and will be earning far, far more than she was before which means in a few months I can tell HBS to stick their derisory contract up their arse.
Not until i've attempted to get a motion of no confidence in HBS management signed by the rest of the department (HBS and MKC employees) first and push the company further towards losing their contract with the Council. Considering how shoddily my co-workers have been treated, the wieght of management incompotence and how much some sections of MKC loathe HBS, that should be a distinct possibility.

Why there weren't kicked out when the financial forgery scandal hit I don't know but maybe the Council, like that of Bedford, will realise they've been duped by a bunch of snake-oil salesmen and terminate the partnership.
Even if you believe the idea of public private partnerships are a good thing, HBS are incapable of delivering as their constant jumping of ship by senior management indicates.
HBS 'core value' number one? 'To delight our customers' ha!