Thousands more job cuts announced as downturn continues

Another tranche of job cuts have been announced as the economic downturn brings a bleak Christmas to thousands of people across the UK.

Spanish banking giant Santander said it would axe 1,900 jobs across its three UK banks next year. Staff at Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley are at risk, and compulsory redundancies have not been ruled out.

The firm said the focus of the reductions would be on back office roles and across operational and head office sites, according to the Press Association.

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Meanwhile, administrators at Woolworths’ distribution arm Entertainment UK have made 700 staff redundant after failing to find a buyer for the business. The company delivered up to 30% of music CDs in the UK, as well as film and TV DVDs.

Administrators Deloitte are also continuing talks over the sale of Woolworths’ 815 stores across the UK. Up to 30,000 jobs could be axed before Christmas.