Outsourcing giant Capita has warned of a potential £40 million hit to its earnings this year, stemming from widespread contract failures on the UK's Civil Service pension scheme. The company anticipates underlying operating profits will be knocked by between £25 million and £40 million in 2026. The news sent Capita's shares plummeting by 18 per cent on Wednesday, reaching their lowest point in nearly a year, compounding earlier losses as the full extent of the issues became clear.