retail redundancies grow as Asos buys Topshop
Economist Group – unknown
The Economist Group announced in May that it was laying off 90 employees, around 7pc of its total workforce, to address the drop in revenues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is not known how many are in the UK.
Emirates – unknown
A leaked email seen by The Telegraph showed bosses at Emirates told their 600-strong British staff that it had to “consider reducing the size of the UK workforce”.
Evening Standard – 115 jobs
The Evening Standard is to cut 115 jobs, a third of its staff, as the London newspaper seeks to cut costs to survive the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit its advertising revenues.
G4S – 1,000 jobs
British multinational security services company G4S is planning to cut around 1,000 jobs from its struggling cash-handling business. The G4S branch has been harmed by the recent trend away from using notes and coins, which has accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Gambling Commission – 332 jobs
The Gambling Commission announced in August that it would be moving ahead with plans to cut jobs as part of wider cost saving measures aimed at saving the organisation £1m.
Gatwick – 600 jobs
Gatwick airport is to cut up to 600 jobs in response to the “devastating impact” of Covid-19. The redundancies, which represent almost a quarter of the airport’s workforce, come as passenger numbers fell 80pc in August.
Boss Stewart Wingate said: “If anyone is in any doubt about the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on the aviation and travel industry then today’s news we have shared with our staff, regarding the proposed job losses, is a stark reminder.”
General Electric – 369 jobs
General Electric is to cut 369 jobs at its aircraft engine maintenance plant in south Wales. The company, which makes jet engines for Boeing and Airbus, blamed the “unprecedented impact of Covid-19”.
Genting – 1,642 jobs
The casino company Genting is to cut up to 1,642 jobs at clubs and hotels across the UK owing to Covid-19.
Global Media – unknown
According to reports, British media firm Global Media – parent company of radio stations Capital, LBC, Heart, and others – has told staff that there will be substantial job cuts due to the pandemic with redundancies across many areas.
Gourmet Burger Kitchen – 362 jobs
Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) is set to close 26 restaurants and axe 362 roles despite being saved from administration.
The chain was bought in a rescue deal by Boparan Restaurant Group, which also snapped Carluccio’s out of insolvency earlier in the pandemic.
Grant Thornton – 70 jobs
Facing a 20pc fall in profits, professional services firm Grant Thornton cut 70 UK jobs in the firm’s tax and consulting divisions, having refused to take advantage of the Government’s job retention scheme.
Guardian – 180 jobs
The Guardian has plans to make UK job cuts in both editorial and commercial roles, due to the economic shock caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The proposals could affect up to 180 jobs – 110 in departments such as advertising, Guardian Jobs, marketing roles, and the Guardian Live events business, with 70 coming from editorial.
Greene King – 800 jobs
Brewer and pub chain Greene King has vowed to close 79 sites – of the 3,100 it operates – as a result of the crisis. The industry giant warned the Government’s 10pm curfew has hit the sector with a wrecking ball, and its cuts are a result of the blow to trade.
Sky News reported that the company has now started consultations over 800 jobs. The business will try to move workers to other sites where possible.
Greggs – unknown number
Even everybody’s favourite high street baker has warned of possible redundancies, telling investors it predicts demand will remain low for the “foreseeable future” despite a partial recovery in sales by October.
The bakery has entered talks with unions and staff over cutting hours to limit UK job cuts.
Gregory Distribution – 100 jobs
The Devon-based distribution company has stated it expects to make around 100 workers redundant out of its 2,700 strong workforce.
Harrods – 680 jobs
Harrods is poised to make almost 700 staff members redundant after the luxury department store conceded it has struggled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In an email circulated to staff, Harrods chief executive Michael Ward said 680 jobs out of its 4,800-strong workforce – around 14pc – will be lost.
Harveys – 1,330 jobs
Furniture retailer Harveys has collapsed into administration, putting around 1,330 jobs at risk.
The company’s sister business Bensons for Beds also called in administrators but was immediately bought back by its owner through a so-called pre-pack rescue deal where it is shorn of debts.
Hays Travel – 878 jobs
The bosses of Britain’s biggest independent travel agent called on Boris Johnson to save summer by restarting flights to the Spanish islands as they cut up to a fifth of their 4,500-strong workforce. Hays Travel owners John and Irene Hays said some of the 878 jobs at risk could be saved if the Government introduces “regional travel corridors” to the Spanish islands.
Heathrow Airport – up to 25,000 jobs
Heathrow Airport chief John Holland-Kaye said that a third of the 76,000 people employed at the airport could be made redundant as it battles to stem losses following a huge collapse in air travel.
While those jobs include those linked to shops operating at the airport, Heathrow has said it would have to cut up to 1,200 of its 4,700 staff as Rishi Sunak’s furlough scheme concluded at the end of October.
HSBC – 35,000 (globally)
HSBC is resuming a massive redundancy plan that had been put on pause after the outbreak of coronavirus, with 35,000 jobs set to be cut worldwide.