Cost-cutting a boon for Mitie

Cleaning and outsourcing specialist Mitie said profits are likely to be in line with its own expectations as it continues to benefit from a climate of cost-cutting.

The firm, which ranks as one of Scotland's biggest private-sector employers with some 8,000 full and part-time staff, said it had made "good progress during the year to date, securing new contracts as well as retaining and extending the scope of work with existing clients."

Mitie announced new business including a 110 million partnering agreement with Orbit Group to deliver planned improvements to 14,000 homes, and a 25m deal with the Home Office for services at an immigration removal centre.

The FTSE 250 company added: "We expect to see increasing public sector opportunities over the next twelve months."