Campaigners protesting against Barnet Council’s outsourcing programme are planning further demonstrations later today.

Members of the Barnet Alliance for Public Services (BAPS) will gather outside the London headquarters of business processes firm Capita to voice their objections to the One Barnet scheme.

Earlier this month, Capita won the largest of a series of contracts being outsourced by Barnet Council as it looks to privatise services to save money.

The latest agreement means Capita will run the council’s back office services, including HR, payroll and customer services for the next ten years, in a contract worth £320million.

Opponents have labelled the One Barnet scheme 'easyCouncil' and say the authority is taking a huge gamble with public money.

Barnet Council says it will save in the region of £120million over the contract period.

BAPS say they invited Capita CEO Paul Pinder to meet with them today, but claim the director declined.

The group previously organised protests at Barnet Council’s offices and at Hendon Town Hall on the day the contract was awarded to Capita.

Campaign leaders are worried the Capita contract will lead to a deterioration in the quality of services because of demands for higher profits.

Protesters will gather outside the organisations Victoria Street headquarters in St James’s Park between 5pm and 6pm.

BAPS co-ordinator Tirza Waisel said: “Schemes like One Barnet are happening all over the UK as outsourcing companies line up to take over services. They offer cash-strapped councils promises of savings that often don’t materialise.

“Barnet Alliance for Public Services invites everyone fighting privatisation and cuts, and ready to defend public services, to join us. It is high time the outsourcing companies faced the public.”