Across the UK, the ground is shifting beneath the feet of thousands of workers as a new wave of redundancies sweeps through key industries. From the bustling newsrooms of national publishers to the busy offices of telecom giants and the lifelines of charitable organisations, employers are tightening their belts in the face of mounting financial pressures, digital disruption, and slowing consumer demand.
The sudden surge in job losses has sparked deep concern for the future of employment stability in the UK — and raised urgent questions about how workers can weather the storm ahead and is it time to join a union?
What’s happening
- Reach plc (Mirror, Express, Star etc.)
- Up to 600 jobs at risk amid a restructuring across Reach’s editorial, commercial and production functions.
- Specifically, 321 editorial roles are proposed for elimination.
- 135 new roles will be created, prioritised ideally for those displaced or in affected areas.
- Reach is shifting toward video, audio, and a live news network, partly in response to changes in audience habits and AI’s impact.
- Liberty Global (includes Virgin Media O2)
- About 800 out of 1,900 employees offered voluntary redundancy as part of a broader restructuring.
- Cuts affect staff in the UK, London particularly, plus other locations. Financial Times
- Company also plans to sell a private jet, reduce legacy operations, focusing on core markets. Financial Times
- Scope (charity sector)
- Approximately 70 corporate roles expected to be lost from its staff of 326, in consultation over redundancies. The Guardian
- This is in addition to earlier cuts in its retail arm (shop closures) affecting ~200 roles. The Guardian
- Disabled employees are disproportionately affected: about one‐third of those at risk are disabled, matching their share of the workforce. The Guardian
Broader context & data
- According to ONS, the UK’s redundancy rate stands at 3.6 per 1,000 employees (April–June 2025) with about 107,000 people being made redundant in that period. Office for National Statistics
- Payrolled employment has fallen: a drop of ~149,000 (–0.5%) between June 2024 and June 2025. Office for National Statistics
What this means for workers
- Many sectors are under pressure: media/publishing, telecoms, charities. UK Workers here may face uncertainty, especially in editorial, corporate and non‐frontline roles.
- Voluntary redundancies are common, but in many cases may be accompanied by compulsory redundancies if take‐up is insufficient (as in Liberty Global’s case) or savings are not met.
- Charities face extra strain: income squeeze, rising costs, inflation, plus heightened risk for workers with disabilities.
Possible implications & what to watch
- Impact on morale, workload, and service quality could be significant as staff are stretched.
- Shifts toward digital content, AI, and consolidation suggest long‐term change in how industries like journalism and telecom will operate.
- There may be more consultation processes ahead. Workers should watch for proposals, notice periods, and whether redundancy is voluntary or forced.
- Policy and government responses (if any) could affect compensation, consultation standards, protections.
So in Conclusion
UK workers across several sectors are facing job security threats due to financial pressures, technological change, and changing market demands. If you work in media, telecoms, charities, or in corporate support roles, keep alert to announcements, engage in consultations, and seek clarity on redundancy terms if approached, and remember, you have the right to join a union.
