Mr. Kevin McCarthy:

We are, yes. We have looked at that. The rate we are paying through intermediaries is consistent with the average. It is probably at the lower end of the average range. On why people would come through intermediaries, our preference is to contract directly with the provider. We have made it very clear in our offers portal where we put wording in place to say that we do not employ agents to act on our behalf because there may have been a misapprehension among some providers that there is a way in to this market through an established intermediary. That is not necessary because we consider all offers from direct providers of accommodation and we make that very clear.

There can be a benefit or value that the intermediary brings to the process in that we spoke earlier about provider reluctance to become involved in international protection provision, for example. It may be that an intermediary who is very active in this area is able to persuade providers to come on board and provide them with a reassurance around what it involves. That may be why providers have come to us through that route rather than coming to us directly.