BT boost for Berkshire
BT Group, its spend with contractors and suppliers, and the spending power of its employees, are responsible for supporting more than 17,000 jobs in Berkshire.
The Economic Impact of BT Group plc in the UK report, by consultancy firm Hatch, calculates that the communications and technology company generated more than £24bn in gross value added (GVA) to the UK economy during the last financial year, including £1.4bn in Berkshire alone.
The report estimates that around 17,100 full-time jobs in Berkshire are supported by BT Group through direct, indirect and induced effects.
The firm also spent £2.4bn with suppliers based in the South East region, including manufacturing, computer programming and telecommunications industries.
In Berkshire, BT employs 1,140 staff and contractors who live in the area.
The company is currently modernising its business, including investing in the UK’s largest workplace consolidation and modernisation programme, as it moves from 300 locations to around 30 as part of its Better Workplace programme.
BT Group regional lead for the South East Jane Thomas said: “I’m immensely proud of the contribution our colleagues make in supporting the Berkshire economy.
“At an important time for our region, our spending on people, networks and suppliers, provides a
vital economic boost.
“The wider impact of that spending helps to sustain communities and small businesses right across the region.
“In the past year, having good connectivity has become more important than ever as we’ve all had to work, learn, and spend more leisure time online.
“Despite these challenges, our dedicated and determined colleagues have ensured EE’s 5G network has been extended to cover 125 towns and cities; built out Openreach’s full-fibre networks to reach 4.1m premises; and EE’s 4G network now reaches 85 per cent of the UK.
“These significant investments will help to underpin the country’s economic recovery post-Covid.”