The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Manchester, Oldham (North West) and Solihull (West Midlands)
Sector
Utilities Electricity, Gas, Steam And Air Conditioning Supply Electricity, Gas, Steam And Air Conditioning Supply 35.2 - Manufacture of gas; distribution of gaseous fuels through mains
New offshoring locations
2,000 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
15 July 2005
Employment effect (start)
1 January 2006
Foreseen end date
Description
British Gas will cut 2,000 jobs at sites in Manchester, Oldham and Solihull, up to 1,000 of these back office jobs will be outsourced to India. A British Gas spokesman said 'With new billing systems, we will not need anything like the number of back office data processors.' Job losses are unlikely this year, the company said in a statement, adding that it was still in consultations with unions. The Unison union called the cuts 'completely unacceptable' and warned that they may lead to strike action. This will be the company's first move to outsource work to India, but British Gas - owned by Centrica - was keen to stress that its customer service division would not be affected. The British Gas spokesman said: 'We have no plans at all to offshore any of our call centre work, we remain entirely committed to existing UK call centres.'
Sources
16 July 2005: The Guardian
15 July 2005: BBC News
Citation
Eurofound (2005), British Gas, Offshoring/Delocalisation in United Kingdom, factsheet number 61940, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/61940.
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