Serco Group has today announced that that it has signed a contract to manage and operate Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre on behalf of the UK Home Office.

Christopher Hyman, chief executive of Serco, said: “Yarl’s Wood is a vital part of the UK’s immigration estate and we are delighted that the Home Office has chosen Serco to run it. The win is testament to the high quality of service we already provide at Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre and recognises our ability to care for a wide range of detainees.”

The contract will start in April 2007 for an initial period of three years, with optional extensions to up to eight years. Over the full eight years, the contract is valued at around £85m.