Meridian British Gas News

British Gas has released this statement after news confirming it is to close its Southampton office, and the 500 staff positions within.

British Gas has today confirmed its decision to close its Southampton contact centre by the end of 2012, following a 90 day consultation period at the site.

"The business will continue to work had to support all those impacted by this decision and continues to investigate redeployment and alternative employment opportunities."

• UK
• British Gas
• Southampton

British Gas has confirmed that its Southampton office is to close.

Around 500 people will lose their jobs when the call centre at St Mary's Road closes at the end of the year.

It comes after a 90 day consultation.

• UK
• British Gas
• Southampton

Unison wants British Gas and Southern Energy to work together to help try and reduce redundancies in Southampton.

It's after British Gas announced it was closing its Southampton Call Centre last week at the same time that Southern Electric announced it was looking to create a further 200 new call centre jobs in Havant.

I am aware there is a fair distance between Southampton and Havant but British Gas need to look at how they can assist with helping current staff to travel to Havant.

• UK
• Unison
• British Gas

Unison wants British Gas and Southern Energy to work together to minimise redundancies in Southampton. It hopes those at risk of losing their jobs in the city will be employed by Southern Electric in Havant.

• UK
• Unison
• British Gas

Southampton City Council will do everything it can to support British Gas staff at this very difficult time.

Helping our residents into employment is a top priority for the city, and we are already pulling together a taskforce of council officers with employment and skills expertise and partners including JobCentre Plus and other agencies to respond to today’s news.”

• UK
• jobs
• economy

550 call centre workers for British Gas were told they were out of a job today.

The company said it was closing the centre, in St Mary's Road, Southampton, by the end of the year as part of a cost cutting review. It said this would help it to stay competitive.

Andrew Pate speaks to Ian Peters, Managing Director of British Gas and Mike Jeram from UNISON.

• UK
• jobs
• economy

UNISON has called the possible closure of British Gas Residential’s office in Southampton -with the loss of 500 jobs - a blow for staff and the local economy.The company has told the union it is considering closing the office in Southampton, where the lease is due to finish at the end of next year.

This is obviously very worrying news and a blow for our members working in Southampton. British Gas has been a significant employer in the town for many years and the customer service centre provides a variety of working patterns that are popular with staff especially those with children or other caring responsibilities.

“UNISON’s immediate priority is the interests of our members in Southampton and the impact on British Gas customers. We will rigorously examine the company’s business case with a view to defending our members’ jobs and avoiding compulsory redundancies."

• UK
• jobs
• economy