17th Oct 2023 08:56
(Alliance News) - Serco Group PLC on Tuesday said that it has been chosen by the Department for Work and Pensions to deliver new functional assessment services in the south-west of England.
According to the Hampshire-based outsourcer, the contract is worth around GBP350 million. It will last five years, and starts in September 2024.
Under the terms of the deal, Serco will deliver functional health assessments in order to determine disability benefits and support.
The new contracts will use a single assessment provider for all services in one geographical area.
It replaces the current multi-provider model, whereby separate contracts are used to conduct assessments for personal independent payment, and health and disability assessment services respectively.
Chief Executive Mark Irwin stressed that Serco would draw on its "extensive experience" delivering health programmes across the world in order to support the Department for Work and Pensions in the UK.
Irwin added that he was "pleased" that Serco had been selected by the department, and said the firm would "focus on ensuring all claimants are treated with care and respect and our employees are fully supported and trained to provide high quality and consistent health assessments".
Serco Group shares were trading 0.3% higher at 145.60 pence each in London on Tuesday morning.
By Holly Beveridge, Alliance News reporter
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