UK to lose 2,000 more jobs to India

Dan Lalor

LONDON: Gas and consumer services company Centrica Plc's British Gas unit is to close four sites in northern England with the loss of 2,000 jobs and outsource work to India, trade union Unison said.

A British Gas spokeswoman confirmed jobs would go. In a statement, British Gas said it was investing 430 million pounds ($750 million) to improve systems, including the transfer of 18 million accounts to new computerised systems.

"As we have always indicated, following the implementation of the new systems we will have considerably reduced need for back office -- data processing and administrative -- staff and we are consulting with the trade unions about the future options," it said.

"One option being considered is to transfer the remaining non-customer-facing clerical work to outsourced agencies in the UK and India. Whatever future option we decide on there will be no impact on jobs this year."

Thousands of British jobs have been shifted to low-cost, offshore centres such as India in recent years. Financial services groups, which have large back-office administrative jobs, have led the exodus.

Unison said British Gas planned to move back-room work to India to make big savings in operation costs, with the closure of offices in Gould Street and Talbot Road, Manchester, Oldham and Solihull.

"We will fight this all the way, and if our members want to be balloted for strike action, then that is what we will do. No-one should be fooled that these savings will go towards reducing

customer's bills or improving services," it said.