Serco signs new contract for UK asylum support ...
Serco signs new contract for UK asylum support services
21 March 2012
Serco Group plc (Serco), the international service company, announces that it
has signed a contract with the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to deliver the COMPASS
project, providing accommodation, associated services and transport for asylum
applicants in two regions of the UK. The five-year contract has an estimated
total value of approximately £175m. The majority of service users will have
transferred to Serco by October 2012, with the contract becoming fully
operational by the end of the year.
COMPASS, or `Commercial and Operational Managers Procuring of Asylum Support
Services', will replace more than 20 UKBA contracts for accommodation and
transport of asylum applicants and their families, improving service standards
whilst delivering considerable savings to the taxpayer. Serco is prime
contractor for the North West and Scotland & Ireland, two of the six UKBA
regions. Responsibility includes initial short-term accommodation for asylum
applicants; dispersed accommodation after their application is processed;
transportation to and between accommodation; and the related process support to
these operations. To deliver the programme, Serco is working with a network of
well-established regional providers including a number of small and medium
sized enterprises and voluntary sector suppliers.
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. This includes providing a robust contract management
and quality assurance regime, financial management, technology infrastructure
and case management, implementation and logistics expertise and
capacity-building support. It is expected that Serco's network will support
7-8,000 service users each year over the course of the contract.
Serco has consulted extensively with interested parties from the public,
private and voluntary sectors across the regions it will operate. This insight
and feedback helped to shape our successful solution, and Serco remains
committed to engaging with both service users, communities groups and
organisations going forward.
Christopher Hyman, Chief Executive of Serco Group, said: "We are delighted to
have been chosen by the UK Border Agency for this important service. Our
approach will enable us to support the families and individuals in our care
with both respect and professionalism, whilst delivering good value for the
taxpayer. 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. We look forward with this contract to extending our
proven record for delivering high quality and efficient services in the UK and
internationally."
Ends
For further information please contact Serco:
Stuart Ford, Head of Investor Relations T +44 (0) 208 334 4122
Marcus De Ville, Head of Media Relations T +44 (0) 208 334 4388
About Serco
Serco is a FTSE 100 international service company, which combines commercial
know-how with a deep public service ethos.
Around the world, we improve essential services by managing people, processes,
technology and assets more effectively. We advise policy makers, design
innovative solutions, integrate systems and - most of all - deliver to the
public.
Serco supports governments, agencies and companies who seek a trusted partner
with a solid track record of providing assured service excellence. Our people
offer operational, management and consulting expertise in the aviation, BPO,
defence, education, environmental services, facilities management, health, home
affairs, information and communications technology, knowledge services, local
government, science and nuclear, transport, welfare to work and the commercial
sectors.
More information can be found at www.serco.com
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