Virgin Media: 400 new jobs in Swansea, Manchester and Birmingham

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21459835

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Virgin Media says it is creating 400 jobs across the UK to meet growing demand for TV and broadband services.

Another 230 staff will be taken on in Swansea, which already has 900 in customer service and technical support.

Ninety new engineering and 40 customer care roles will be in Wythenshawe, Manchester, and 40 customer care positions in Birmingham.

The US cable group Liberty Global recently announced a £15bn takeover deal for Virgin Media.

The jobs are in addition to the 620 created by Virgin Media last year, many of them coming with the opening of a "centre of excellence" on the Swansea Enterprise Park in July.

Virgin also announced 60 new customer contact jobs in Glasgow in January.

Digital growth

Welsh Secretary David Jones welcomed the news, saying: "As an employer known for its solid performance, Virgin Media is proving that, although these are tough times for businesses, they are still able to grow and build.

"The news today will further boost the local economy with the creation of jobs in Swansea."

Sian James, MP for Swansea East, said the news was "excellent", adding: "It is so refreshing to see a company making a local investment instead of moving jobs overseas."

Business Secretary Vince Cable said he was pleased to see the creation of highly-skilled engineering jobs.

"The digital communications industry drives growth and helps us to build a stronger economy," he said.

"Today's announcement will also support our ambition to provide faster broadband - in both cities and rural areas - giving more businesses access to the opportunities they need to grow."

Paul Buttery, Virgin Media's chief customer and networks officer, said the jobs were being created to meet demand for its connected TV and superfast broadband services.

He added: "With this expansion Virgin Media will be even better able to support the government's ambitions for the country.

"We're investing in the very communities we serve to ensure all our customers get the experience they expect from us as we power Britain's digital heartbeat."