BT cuts nearly 8,000 jobs in cost-saving drive
British telecoms group reduces workforce as it reports strong profits and prepares to spin out international operations.
At a glance
- BT workforce reduced by 7,731 positions to 90,000 since end of March
- International business being spun out in joint venture with Verizon
- Company reported £1.1bn pre-tax profit in first half of financial year
- Headcount has fallen from around 130,000 including contractors two years ago
BT has eliminated nearly 8,000 positions since the end of March as part of a broad cost-reduction initiative. The workforce fell to 90,000 people, excluding staff in the international division being separated through a joint venture with US telecoms firm Verizon.
The cuts come as BT reported £1.1bn in pre-tax profit for the six months ending in September. The company's headcount, including contractors, stood at approximately 130,000 two years ago.
Why it matters
The restructuring reflects broader cost pressures in the telecoms sector and signals BT's strategic shift toward focusing on its core domestic operations.
Original reporting
- The Guardian — WorldBT cuts almost 8,000 jobs amid sweeping cost-saving programme
- The Guardian — BusinessBT cuts almost 8,000 jobs amid sweeping cost-saving programme
This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.
