Public sector services group Serco has signed a contract with the Border Agency to provide asylum support services in the UK.
COMPASS, or `Commercial and Operational Managers Procuring of Asylum Support Services', is a five-year contract worth an estimated £175m, which will see Serco provide accommodation, associated services and transport for asylum applications in the north-west England, Scotland and Ireland.
It is to replace 20 existing Border Agency contracts in order to deliver "considerable savings" to the public sector.
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"As prime contractor, Serco will use its supply chain management expertise to support its network of providers, helping organisations to develop and supply the best possible service," the statement said.
Serco's Chief Executive Christopher Hyman said: "This contract builds on a strong customer relationship with the UK Border Agency, and also on other related services where our innovative partnering approach brings together local suppliers in the private, voluntary and community sectors."
Serco was performing strongly on Wednesday, helped higher by an upgrade from both HSBC and Morgan Stanley.
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