Thank you for contacting me about restructuring at BT.
Like you, I regret any loss of jobs in the UK as a result of redundancy. I very much appreciate the efforts of BT staff in particular to keep communication lines open during a period where many people have relied on them to work or learn from home.
BT is a private company so decisions about its structure and employment are ultimately a matter for its Board. However, I have been assured that my Ministerial colleagues regularly engage with BT about a range of topics, including their UK workforce, at both the official and ministerial levels.
I know that Ministers are committed to boosting job creation. On 8 July, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the Government’s Plan for Jobs, which makes up to £30 billion available with a clear goal to create, protect, and support jobs. The plan includes three main points: supporting people to find the jobs that are out there, creating new jobs through investing in our infrastructure and housing, and protecting jobs by revitalising the hard-hit sectors upon which many jobs depend.
These will build upon the Prime Minister's announcement on 30 June of a “New Deal” which puts jobs and infrastructure at the centre of the Government’s economic growth strategy. This will take the form of £5bn of capital investment projects, supporting jobs and the economic recovery.
There is no denying that there are difficult choices to be made ahead, but I am confident that the country can get through this together. I will continue to work to ensure that people locally are supported through this extremely difficult time.
