Serco and G4S land asylum seeker contracts

Outsourcing firm Serco was yesterday given a contract to manage accommodation for asylum seekers in Scotland as the UK Borders Agency awarded work worth £378 million over five years.

The UK government has created six large regional contracts to oversee the housing of asylum seekers, and their transport from initial temporary accommodation to longer-term dwellings.

G4S won two regions – Midlands and the East of England; and North East England, Yorkshire and the Humber – worth £203m. Serco will provide services for the North West of England and Scotland & Ireland, for a total of £175m.

The remaining two regions have not yet been contracted. The deals are for five years, with two-year extension options, and replace current services provided under a wide range of contracts with smaller providers.