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House builder Barratt cuts jobs House builder Barratt cuts jobs
(10 minutes later)
UK house builder Barratt Developments has confirmed it is cutting more than a thousand jobs due to the housing slump and the squeeze on mortgage lending.UK house builder Barratt Developments has confirmed it is cutting more than a thousand jobs due to the housing slump and the squeeze on mortgage lending.
Barratt, which employs 6,700 staff, said it was cutting 1,200 jobs by closing two divisions and merging other parts of its business.Barratt, which employs 6,700 staff, said it was cutting 1,200 jobs by closing two divisions and merging other parts of its business.
The company also said it had reached a deal with its lenders to give it extra breathing space to pay back its debt.The company also said it had reached a deal with its lenders to give it extra breathing space to pay back its debt.
It added it expected housing production to hit a 50-year low in 2008.It added it expected housing production to hit a 50-year low in 2008.
Barratt said a £400m debt facility, which was due to be paid next April, has been extended to July 2011.Barratt said a £400m debt facility, which was due to be paid next April, has been extended to July 2011.
'Challenging period' FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme'Challenging period' FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
It has also agreed a new deal with its banks to reduce the chance of breaching it debt covenants.It has also agreed a new deal with its banks to reduce the chance of breaching it debt covenants.
Chief executive Mark Clare said: "We have now substantially improve our competitive position and are better placed to deal with what will be a very challenging period ahead."Chief executive Mark Clare said: "We have now substantially improve our competitive position and are better placed to deal with what will be a very challenging period ahead."
The firm has been hit by a sharp drop in the number of available mortgages for consumers and the wider housing downturn.The firm has been hit by a sharp drop in the number of available mortgages for consumers and the wider housing downturn.
Barratt said total sales completions fell by 13.8% in the year to June, compared with 2007.Barratt said total sales completions fell by 13.8% in the year to June, compared with 2007.
Completions for private homes fell 18.4%.Completions for private homes fell 18.4%.
More than a fifth of completions were for social housing.More than a fifth of completions were for social housing.
Average sales rates to private buyers fell 43% year-on-year in the past six months.Average sales rates to private buyers fell 43% year-on-year in the past six months.
Cancellation rates for its homes jumped 33.6% over the past year, reflecting the "acute shortage of mortgage finance", Barratt said.Cancellation rates for its homes jumped 33.6% over the past year, reflecting the "acute shortage of mortgage finance", Barratt said.

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