BT Sheds 7,731 Jobs Amidst Network Completion and Acquisition Drive

The telecommunications giant reported £1.1 billion in pre-tax profits for the six months ending September 30.

Allison Kirkby stated, "Our UK-centric strategy and transformation is clearly delivering with £312 million of annualised savings achieved in the first half, as we continue to simplify and modernise."

BT recently acquired TalkTalk's consumer division and its wholesale arm, PlatformX Communications (PXC). This move secured telecoms supply for 2.5 million households and public service customers, protecting 900 jobs in Salford, Greater Manchester.

The TalkTalk deal faces intense scrutiny, currently under regulatory review by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy invoked a Public Interest Intervention Notice, demanding a CMA investigation with a report due by October 19.

BT remains tight-lipped on its plans for TalkTalk or its workforce, citing regulatory requirements. The company must ring-fence and operate the business separately during the ongoing assessment.

Allison Kirkby also noted, "Our proposed international joint venture with Verizon is progressing at pace, and we’ve also stepped up for the country with the acquisition of TalkTalk."

BT aims to slash its core workforce to between 65,000 and 70,000 by 2030, targeting £3.5 billion in annual cost savings. The company projects approximately 75,000 workers by 2030, including its international arm.

The international arm is being spun out into a joint venture with US mobile phone firm Verizon. Excluding employees from this international business would leave the firm with roughly 65,000 to 70,000 workers.

BT anticipates that the introduction of AI across its operations could eliminate around 10,000 roles.