Fujitsu plans to axe up to 1,800 jobs in the UK

Japanese electronics firm Fujitsu has told staff of plans to cut up to 1,800 jobs in the UK. The company, which has 14,000 UK staff, said the job losses would be across its British offices as it looks to compete more keenly with foreign rivals that offer cheaper IT services.

It said the move was part of its "transformation programme" which would streamline the business.

The firm, in a statement to its staff, added: "Fujitsu plans to streamline operations in order to remain competitive in the market. Proposed measures include changes which would result in a reduction of up to 1,800 jobs in the UK."

Unite union condemned the news, saying it was a "hammer blow" for employees who had worked hard to make the company's UK subsidiary a success.

Unite national officer Ian Tonks said: "It is not good news for the UK economy as the company says that it intends to offshore many of these jobs, with increased automation also responsible for job losses.

"Fujtsu's main UK subsidiary made £85.6m ($104.6m) profit last year and we see no reason for these job losses."

The firm has a range of businesses in Britain, from software services to providing air conditioning units.

Fujtsu has a number of offices across the country, including in Manchester, Belfast, Bracknell, Solihull, Wakefield and Warrington, but has yet to decide where jobs will be cut.