21,000 jobs axed in bleak start to 2018

Brexit and Tory mismanagement blamed for crisis

A SHOCKING 21,000 jobs have been axed in the first three months of 2018 as retail store closures, restructurings and Carillion’s collapse resulted in a bleak quarter.

Figures show that 21,413 staff have been made redundant or seen their role put under threat, with the bulk of them working for well known high street chains.

Since January, Toys R Us and Maplin have filed for administration, fashion retailers New Look and Select have embarked on radical store closure programmes and, only last week, Bargain Booze owner Conviviality said they plan to call in administrators in the next 10 days, putting 2600 jobs at risk.

The casual dining sector has piled on the misery, with Prezzo, Byron and Jamie’s Italian all shutting restaurants and culling hundreds of jobs.

Retailers have been hammered by Brexit-fuelled inflation, soaring business rates and falling consumer confidence.

Unions have placed the blame for the dire figures firmly at the feet of the Government, blaming Theresa May’s Conservative party for economic mismanagement.

Tim Roache, general secretary of the GMB union, said: “A strong economy doesn’t see job losses like this.

“It’s time to invest in British industry and put forward a plan for real jobs, that pay a decent wage.”

Supermarket giants have also made swingeing cuts to shop floor staff, with Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco axing 5200 roles between them. Elsewhere, the collapse of outsourcer Carillion has so far resulted in over 1700 job losses, with more pain expected.

British Gas owner Centrica have recently announced they will axe 4000 roles over the next three years under an efficiency programme.

Compounding the misery was the closure of Norwich’s iconic Colman’s mustard factory, which saw 113 workers culled.

It was followed by drinks giant Coca-Cola shutting sites in Milton Keynes and Northampton.