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| Vodafone announces 500 job cuts | Vodafone announces 500 job cuts |
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| Mobile phone operator Vodafone has announced plans to cut about 500 jobs in the UK in an effort to reduce costs. | Mobile phone operator Vodafone has announced plans to cut about 500 jobs in the UK in an effort to reduce costs. |
| Vodafone, the world's largest mobile phone company by income, is shedding jobs as part of previously-announced plans for £1bn ($1.4bn) of cost cuts. | Vodafone, the world's largest mobile phone company by income, is shedding jobs as part of previously-announced plans for £1bn ($1.4bn) of cost cuts. |
| Vodafone, which employs 10,000 workers in the UK, faces rising raw material prices and increasing competition. | Vodafone, which employs 10,000 workers in the UK, faces rising raw material prices and increasing competition. |
| The 500 job losses include 170 posts at Vodafone's head office in Newbury, Berkshire, in back-office type roles. | The 500 job losses include 170 posts at Vodafone's head office in Newbury, Berkshire, in back-office type roles. |
| All the group's operations are set to be affected, including a reorganisation of some of its call centres. | All the group's operations are set to be affected, including a reorganisation of some of its call centres. |
| Vodafone has call centres and offices in Newark, Banbury, Theale, Trowbridge, London, Warrington, Stoke-on-Trent and Hayes. | Vodafone has call centres and offices in Newark, Banbury, Theale, Trowbridge, London, Warrington, Stoke-on-Trent and Hayes. |
| Online focus | Online focus |
| BBC News is tracking where jobs are created and lost around the UK BBC UK jobs tracker | BBC News is tracking where jobs are created and lost around the UK BBC UK jobs tracker |
| "Vodafone UK has today announced reductions to its operating costs in order for it to compete more effectively in the UK market," the company said. | "Vodafone UK has today announced reductions to its operating costs in order for it to compete more effectively in the UK market," the company said. |
| "As customers look for best value in their mobile services, Vodafone intends to reduce its cost base whilst continuing to invest in new products and services to meet changing customer needs." | "As customers look for best value in their mobile services, Vodafone intends to reduce its cost base whilst continuing to invest in new products and services to meet changing customer needs." |
| Vodafone said it did not intend to close any stores, but planned to cut costs by offering more online services, as it believed its 19 million UK customers wanted a greater focus on value for money. | Vodafone said it did not intend to close any stores, but planned to cut costs by offering more online services, as it believed its 19 million UK customers wanted a greater focus on value for money. |
| It said staff were now being informed about the details of the job cuts. | It said staff were now being informed about the details of the job cuts. |
| 'Difficult time' | 'Difficult time' |
| Trade union Connect, which represents workers in the communications sector, said it was calling on Vodafone to ensure that all the job losses were voluntary. | |
| "We will be working very closely with the company to ensure that our members are treated with respect during this difficult time and that a full and proper process of consultation is carried out," said Connect national officer Steve Thomas. | "We will be working very closely with the company to ensure that our members are treated with respect during this difficult time and that a full and proper process of consultation is carried out," said Connect national officer Steve Thomas. |
| Vodafone said in November last year that it expected to reduce its worldwide operating costs by £1bn a year by 2011. | Vodafone said in November last year that it expected to reduce its worldwide operating costs by £1bn a year by 2011. |
| Earlier this month, the firm reported revenue of £10.47bn for the last three months of 2008, up 14.3% on the same period a year ago, and raised its forecast for full-year revenues after benefiting from the weaker pound. | Earlier this month, the firm reported revenue of £10.47bn for the last three months of 2008, up 14.3% on the same period a year ago, and raised its forecast for full-year revenues after benefiting from the weaker pound. |