No Public Money? A Follow-Up.

By Kieron JH | Founder, The Reasonable Adjustment

In a formal complaint response dated 11 July 2025, Beverley Brooks, CEO of The Recruitment Junction (TRJ), stated the following:

“As a charity in receipt of no public money…”

This line was delivered in direct response to a serious safeguarding and discrimination complaint. At the time, I challenged it – not because I suspected it was untrue, but because I knew it was.

But Here’s the Problem: It’s False.

Earlier this week, I received written confirmation from the North East Combined Authority (NECA) that TRJ has received public funding through both:

• The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
• The North of Tyne Small Grant Programme

Let’s be clear – this isn’t just a small clerical error. It’s a false claim made by the CEO of a publicly funded organisation, in response to allegations involving safeguarding, data rights, and disability discrimination.

When Public Money Is Denied in Public Statements

Public funding comes with public responsibility. When a funded charity claims in writing that they receive “no public money,” especially in the context of a complaint, this raises questions that go far beyond my individual case:

• Was the Board of Trustees aware of this claim?
• Did public funders verify TRJ’s handling of complaints and transparency commitments?
• Will any corrective action be taken to ensure future compliance?

NECA’s Response: “Not Appropriate to Comment”

When I followed up with NECA, I didn’t raise another complaint. I simply asked for a clarification: Was the CEO’s statement factually accurate?

The reply? That it was “not appropriate” to comment, because my complaint was still being reviewed by TRJ. A classic deflection – and one that dodges public accountability.

I have now followed up to request transparency on who signed off that response, what internal policy justified it, and how much public funding TRJ has received to date. Those are fair questions, and I intend to publish the answers in full.

Why This Matters

When marginalised people raise legitimate safeguarding and discrimination concerns, they deserve honest answers – not contradictory statements and bureaucratic evasion.

This isn’t about “catching someone out.” It’s about defending the right to transparency and trust in publicly funded services.

Because if a charity can misrepresent its funding in response to a safeguarding complaint and get away with it, what hope is there for real accountability?

Published by The Reasonable Adjustment – an independent platform supporting disabled, neurodivergent, and justice-involved voices with lived experience advocacy.

Read the previous article here – https://thereasonableadjustment.co.uk/2025/08/04/fact-check-does-the-recruitment-junction-receive-public-funding/