Local government HR staff have been reassured about their jobs following a £46m deal which will target council back-office contracts.

Mouchel Parkman and HBS already work together on a £300m, 12-year strategic partnership in Oldham through the Unity Partnership. It also recently won preferred bidder status for a 10-year partnership with Somerset County Council.

The business process outsourcing market in the UK is currently worth more than £4bn, growing at nearly 10% per year.