By Karim Hammam
BT Group's workforce fell by 7,731 to 90,000 in the six months to the end of September as the telecoms giant presses ahead with a sweeping cost-reduction programme. The decline brings the total headcount reduction to 11,712, or 11 per cent, compared with a year earlier.
Workforce reduction details
Most of the job losses came from the Openreach division, where fewer roles are needed after the peak of its fibre network build. The company is targeting billions of pounds in annual savings by 2030.
Financial performance
Pre-tax profits rose 12 per cent year-on-year to £1.1 billion for the half-year, helped by the savings drive. BT said it achieved £312 million of annualised savings in the first half.
TalkTalk rescue
Last month BT acquired TalkTalk's consumer division and wholesale arm PlatformX Communications for £400 million, protecting 900 jobs in Salford, Greater Manchester, and securing telecoms supply to 2.5 million households and public services. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy invoked a Public Interest Intervention Notice, ordering a Competition and Markets Authority investigation due by October 19.
Future outlook
BT has extended its restructuring programme to March 2030 and raised its cost-savings target by £700 million. Including the international business, which is being spun out into a joint venture with Verizon, the group expects a workforce of about 75,000 by 2030, down from 130,000 in 2024. Excluding the international arm, the UK business will have 65,000 to 70,000 employees. Chief executive Allison Kirkby said the UK-centric strategy and the proposed Verizon joint venture are progressing at pace.
