BT Set To Slash Jobs

BT is set to slash 13,000 jobs over the course of three years with a view to streamline its management and back-office posts.

The telecoms firm said the job cuts – which amount to 12% of its workforce – and other measures will enable it to reduce costs by £1.5 billion. One-third of the redundancies are expected to come from outside of the UK. BT noted it plans to hire 6,000 staff for network deployment and customer services.

The company also said it plans to move out of its current central London premises and into a smaller office.

Chief executive Gavin Patterson said BT is in “a position of strength” to deliver on its commitments, “whilst addressing many uncertainties”.

The company is facing changes in the telecoms market including “increasing competitive intensity from established companies and new entrants".

Philippa Childs, national secretary of the Prospect union, called the news “a devastating blow to managers and professionals represented by Prospect”. She added the number of job cuts planned was “unrealistic”.