Corus, ING, Philips, Ulster Bank, Fortnum & Mason announce thousands more job cuts

Global redundancies continue to make headlines with steel giant Corus leading the job cuts coverage with an estimated 2,500 positions at risk, more than 10% of its UK workforce.

Corus, owned by Tata Steel, this morning confirmed that 3,500 jobs were at risk worldwide. Union officials from Community are meeting with bosses today to discuss the plans, which could affect sites in Port Talbot, Scunthorpe, Teesside and Rotherham.

One of Europe’s largest banks, ING, has said it will shed 7,000 jobs worldwide. ING has not commented on how many of the jobs could go in the UK, but The Times reported that chief executive Michel Tilmant would be stepping down because of the stress of leading the group through the most turbulent period in living memory.

Another Dutch corporate, electronics manufacturer Philips, announced its first quarterly loss in six years, adding that it would be cutting 6,000 jobs. A company spokesman added that all divisions would be affected – but declined to give further details.

Ulster Bank Group has announced 200 redundancies in Northern Ireland, together with 550 jobs in the Republic, amid plans to merge its First Active and Ulster Bank brands. The group, part of Royal Bank of Scotland, said that most redundancies would be voluntary.

UK parcel firm Home Delivery Netwrok could axe as many as 700 jobs according to RoadTransport.com.

Around 100 jobs are expected to go at Nacco Materials Handling’s forklift factory in Graigavon, County Armagh. These are in additon to 81 redundancies in Sepetember 2008.

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Personnel Today has learned that luxury department store Fortnum & Mason is cutting 55 jobs in its back office and distribution departments. A spokeswoman said, “It is hoped that during the consultation process we will be able explore opportunities for meeting the efficiency improvements required through voluntary means and natural wastage.”

Keep track of the latest organisations reported to be cutting staff on Personnel Today’s redundancy tracker.