The announcement that prison maintenance functions are to be privatised have been slammed by construction union Ucatt.

The Government announced that the prison maintenance contracts have been granted to two private contractors. Amey has won the contract for the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humberside as well as the East and West Midlands, plus Wales. Carillion has won the contracts for East of England, London, South West, South Central, Kent and Sussex.

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Steve Murphy, General Secretary of Ucatt, said: "The decision to sell off prison maintenance is all about the Government's obsession with privatisation and nothing to do with ensuring an efficient and safe service. This will increase costs and decrease prison security."

(CD/JP)