MORE than 45,000 jobs are at risk after outsourcing giant Interserve signalled on Friday that it will file for administration.

The managing board of the British-based company failed to attract the support of shareholders at an emergency meeting on Friday for a proposed rescue plan that would have handed control of the firm to lenders.

By the time the Star went to press a statement from the board said that due to an “absence of any viable alternative” it is “likely” that they will be taking the company into administration.

Interserve provides agency workers for public services such as those in prisons, schools and health.

Although the managing board claims that Interserve’s contracts are still valid for work unions have expressed the fears of workers who do not know whether they will be returning to a job tomorrow.

GMB national officer Kevin Brandstatter called for ending the “disastrous experiment” of outsourcing public services.

Labour shadow cabinet minister Jon Trickett said: “This latest disaster, which could have been avoided, shows that the government is not prepared to change their dogmatic attachment to outsourcing and it is costing the country dearly.

“It is crucial that Interserve’s administrators do not simply strip the profits in favour of shareholders and leave the taxpayer to pick up the bill for the rest. The public purse should not be burdened with these failures.

“We need clear assurances from the government that should this happen services, jobs and pensions will be protected. Nothing less will do.

“Labour will end this crony capitalism and put an end to this reckless outsourcing once and for all.”

Labour shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon voiced concerns about Interserve in the probation service during a Commons debate in early March.

He asked Prisons Secretary Rory Stewart if the government had a plan in the event of the company’s collapse.

Mr Stewart accused Mr Burgon of being “ideological.”

On Friday Mr Burgon said: “The Conservatives must now return probation to the public sector.”

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that the company’s “entirely predictable” collapse showed the government had learnt “no lessons” from the downfall of outsourcing and construction giant Carillion in January last year.

He called for the contracts of train station workers to be brought under the control of Network Rail.