CAPITA was slammed for “another unacceptable failure” today after it emerged it will miss its deadline to restore pension administration services by the end of the month.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said that it had been informed by the Cabinet Office the contractor will miss the ministerial deadline set in April to bring the services to contractual standards.

It was paid £239 million for the contract and critical cases, including bereavement and ill-health retirements, were due to resolved by February. 

PCS said that the extensive recovery operation established to prop up the failing contractor will continue after June 30, with about 150 HMRC staff, led by a senior civil servant, required to help clear backlogs and support core pension administration functions that Capita has been unable to deliver.

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “This is beyond disappointing, but I can’t say it’s surprising.”

Capita was contacted for comment.