Walsall Council axes Serco school contract

Walsall Council has axed its £345 million contract with the private firm that its runs education services – leaving hundreds of jobs hanging in the balance.

Walsall Council has axed its £345 million contract with the private firm that its runs education services – leaving hundreds of jobs hanging in the balance.

The authority has terminated its deal with Serco, which employs around 400 people.

Services will be transferred from Serco back to the council in the next 24 months. Some staff are also expected to transfer but a full assessment of their futures will take place.

Serco has been working in Walsall for a decade and the decision is said to have been prompted by "major changes to government policy", such as more and more schools becoming academies.

A council spokesman said: "The decision will not have an immediate impact on any service or member of staff."