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PCS said yesterday it has "grave concerns" that jobs could be offshored as 'back office' civil service work is privatised.

Reacting to the announcement by the Cabinet Office that a range of support functions in several government departments – including human resources and finance – will be hived off to the French multinational Steria, the union has asked for an urgent assurance work will not be sent overseas.

The union's members affected have overwhelmingly stated they do not want to be transferred to the private sector and want to remain in the civil service.

There are also concerns over the security of crucial data, including payroll and procurement information, particularly if jobs are offshored.

The union understands a proportion of offshoring formed part of the bidding process and fears it may remain part of the successful bid. The Cabinet Office has confirmed it had never been ruled out.

The privatisation of what is called shared services is being led by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Department for Work and Pensions and also includes several other smaller departments and agencies, with more expected to join at a later date.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "We have grave concerns, not only about the security of people's jobs, but also about the threat that work will go overseas.

"We have asked the Cabinet Office to confirm there will be no offshoring and it is very worrying that it appears unwilling to do this."