Hounslow Council's Cabinet has approved a £40 million contract for the provision of temporary staff, a decision aimed at ensuring continued service delivery while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

The contract, awarded to Adecco UK Ltd for a period of four years commencing May 1, 2026, was secured under the ESPO Managed Services for Temporary Agency Resources (MSTAR) 4 framework. The estimated annual spend is £10 million, with the arrangement expected to generate savings of approximately £90,000 annually through a rebate from the provider.

Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for Strategy, Resources and External Affairs, presented the report on the contract award. He acknowledged the council's preference for directly employed staff but stressed the ongoing necessity of temporary staff to meet urgent service delivery needs, short-term additional work requirements and to cover absences.

The rates negotiated on a pan-London basis through London Councils are reported to be lower than under the current arrangement, contributing to the anticipated savings. This suggests the rates are considered beneficial due to their reduction and the generation of rebates for the council.

Adecco UK Ltd has been a supplier to the council since 2016, and its performance under the current contract has been strong. Specific performance metrics cited include a 97% fulfilment rate on all roles and an average time to hire of 13 days. The client loyalty satisfaction score for 2025 was 100%, and 75 supply chain agencies were engaged, with 37% being SMEs. This high level of service is expected to be maintained under the new contract.

The council's use of temporary staff currently represents between 6% and 8% of its total workforce, which is noted as being low in comparison to other London boroughs.

Bar chart showing public opinion on factors to prioritise when planning school changes, with 'Educational quality' being the most selected factor.
Factors to prioritise in school changes

This contract, detailed in the Award of contract for procurement of temporary staff document, aims to maintain the high level of service while securing competitive rates. The council's decision was made at a meeting on Monday, March 16, 2026. The full report can be accessed here: Award of contract for procurement of temporary staff.

For more information on council meetings and reports, refer to the Public reports pack Monday 16-Mar-2026 19.00 Cabinet.