work · the national record
UK job cuts tracker: who is cutting jobs, and how many cuts employers blame on AI
Every announced cut of 100 or more UK jobs by a named employer since January 2025, 189 so far covering 111,306 roles. Each is graded on what the employer itself said about AI. Employers themselves tied 2,907 of those roles to AI or automation, 2.6 per cent.
How to read this
Each row is one announcement by a named employer of 100 or more UK job cuts, with the figure the employer gave and a link to the source. The coloured badge is the AI attribution scale: it grades what was said about AI, not whether AI really caused the cut. Only levels 3 and 4, where the employer itself named AI or automation, count towards the AI figure. Phases of a larger programme, forecasts and global cuts with no UK figure are listed but never added to the totals.
Read next: AI and the UK tax base: where the money comes from when the jobs go, and what could replace it, How much unemployment benefit do you get in Germany compared with the UK? and UK economic inactivity rate, by reason: the millions out of the labour force
Announcements 1 January 2025 to 8 October 2026; ONS Labour Force Survey redundancies to May to July 2026 (15 September 2026); ONS HR1 potential redundancies to August 2026 (8 October 2026).
How each cut is graded
The AI attribution scale
Every cut is graded on what the sources say, not on what this site thinks happened. Each grade links to the words it rests on. Levels 3 and 4 need the employer's own statement or a named executive on the record; press reports alone can support level 1 at most.
- 4 AI stated
- The employer says the roles are going because of AI or automation
- 3 AI a stated reason
- The employer names AI or automation as one reason among others
- 2 AI alongside
- The same announcement covers AI investment or transformation, but does not tie the cuts to it
- 1 Others say AI
- Only unions, analysts or press make the link; the employer is silent
- 0 No AI cited
- No mention of AI found in the sources
- D Denied
- The employer says explicitly the cuts are not about AI
Cuts the employer tied to AI or automation
11 announcements where the employer itself named AI or automation
These are the cuts graded 3 or 4: the employer, in its own statement or through a named executive on the record, said AI or automation was the reason or one of the reasons. Together the confirmed ones come to 2,907 UK roles. Some are not counted in that figure, and the reason is given on each: the employer did not confirm the number, the AI plan was later dropped, or no UK figure was given.
- On the Beach4 AI stated6 Aug 2026107 UK rolesautomation, not AI
“On the Beach has confirmed 107 employees have been made redundant following a formal consultation process to "automate and streamline operational processes".” source
“On the Beach has confirmed 107 employees have been made redundant following a formal consultation process to “automate and streamline operational processes”.” source
Graded on the company's own quoted aim to automate; it does not say AI.
- Worcestershire County Council4 AI stated24 Jun 2026100 UK roles
“Chief executive Paul Robinson said AI will take over “process-driven” tasks in multiple roles across the council, such as answering the phone to free up time for social workers, and those time savings will add up to the equivalent of 100 jobs.” source
“The authority is planning to cut up to 100 roles as part of a huge cost-saving exercise.” source
Raised from 3 to 4: the chief executive says the AI time savings are the 100 roles. He expects most to go through vacancies and retirements, with redundancy only if they do not arise..
- Close Brothers Group3 AI a stated reason17 Mar 2026600 UK roles
“In parallel, we are progressing the deployment of automation and artificial intelligence at pace, providing further opportunity both to reduce costs and enhance customer experience.” source
“The UK banking group Close Brothers is to cut about 600 jobs and roll out the use of AI "at pace" after posting further losses amid a mounting compensation bill for the UK motor finance scandal” source
- Derby City Council4 AI stated12 Jan 2026100 UK roles
“took out of the budget 100 posts that at the time were vacant” source
“took out of the budget 100 posts that at the time were vacant” source
vacant posts deleted, no redundancies.
- Santander UK3 AI a stated reason30 Jul 20252,000 UK rolesautomation, not AI
“said the year-on-year drop in its workforce comes as part of its ongoing "simplification and automation" drive” source
“Santander UK revealed more than 2,000 roles have been cut amid an ongoing cost-saving overhaul.” source
Graded 3 on the bank's own results wording, which names automation, not AI; the figure is the fall in headcount over the year to June 2025.
- Metropolitan Police4 AI stated11 Jun 20261,150 UK roles
“Circa 500 of the 1,150 FTE reductions required in FY 2026/27 were directly associated with the successful delivery of UOA” source
“The MPS has to reduce by 1,150 FTE this year (26/27) to deliver our agreed budget” source
about 500 of these tied to AI. the AI plan was later withdrawn.
- Standard Chartered3 AI a stated reason19 May 2026UK figure not stated
“AI will be a huge facilitator and enabler of that” source
“said on Tuesday it would cut 15% of its corporate function roles by 2030” source
- Morrisons (Bradford head office)3 AI a stated reason14 Apr 2026200 UK roles
“Morrisons commenced a long-term programme to re-engineer certain of its business functions, to concentrate on the core activities that our customers value, streamline processes and structures, automate a number of manual tasks and capitalise on the potential of data and AI to improve performance,” Morrisons said in a statement.” source
“Morrisons has put around 200 roles at its Bradford head office at risk as the supermarket accelerates plans to automate more back-office work and lean more heavily on artificial intelligence.” source
figure reported, not confirmed by the employer.
- Baker McKenzie (London business services)3 AI a stated reason6 Feb 2026UK figure not stated
“This review was aimed at rethinking the ways in which we work, including through our use of AI, introducing efficiencies, and investing in those roles that best serve our clients’ needs.” source
“Baker McKenzie is preparing to cut roles across its business services team, with the City firm citing a growing reliance on AI as one of the factors behind the decision.” source
- Buy It Direct (Appliances Direct, Furniture123), Huddersfield4 AI stated12 Nov 2025500 UK roles
“A mixture of AI on the office side, and technology involving robots and automation and mechanisation in the warehouse, means that the future for employing UK people is very bleak for someone like us.” source
“The company employs more than 800 staff and more than 500 jobs were estimated to go.” source
a forecast, not an announced cut.
- TikTok (UK trust and safety, London)3 AI a stated reason22 Aug 2025UK figure not statedautomation, not AI
“This reorganisation of our global operating model for Trust and Safety will ensure we maximize effectiveness and speed in our moderation processes as we evolve this critical safety function for the company with the benefit of technological advancements.” source
“The TUC has called on TikTok to “come clean” over plans to axe more than 400 UK jobs and replace them with AI-driven content moderation and lower-paid overseas workers, as MPs launch an inquiry into the impact of the proposed cuts.” source
TikTok's statement names technological advancements, not AI; a TikTok executive later linked it to AI moderation, as reported by LBC.
The contested middle
AI in the story, but not in the employer's reasons
22 announcements where AI comes up but the employer did not give it as a reason: the company talked about AI in the same breath (level 2), unions or the press made the link (level 1), or the employer denied it (2 cases). None of these count towards the AI figure.
- Starling Bank2 AI alongside3 Jul 2026130 UK roles
“We recently told colleagues that we are changing parts of our banking team structure to simplify how we operate.” source
“Starling Bank is cutting around 130 jobs, roughly 3% of its 4,000-strong workforce.” source
- WPP2 AI alongside26 Feb 2026UK figure not stated
“Aiming to be “a simpler, lower-cost, AI-enabled business”, the London-based company laid out plans to achieve £500m of annual savings by 2028, at a cost of £400m over two years.” source
“The beleaguered UK advertising group WPP has announced a radical restructure to counter the threat posed by the growth of artificial intelligence, including plans to sell assets and job cuts.” source
- Amazon (global corporate round, October 2025)2 AI alongside28 Oct 2025UK figure not stated
“This generation of AI is the most transformative technology we’ve seen since the internet and it’s enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before.” source
“UK office roles are amongst those on the chopping block” source
- BT Group2 AI alongside15 Jun 2025UK figure not stated
“Depending on what we learn from AI . . . there may be an opportunity for BT to be even smaller by the end of the decade.” source
“Kirkby told the newspaper that BT's plans to cull more than 40,000 jobs and strip out 3 billion pounds ($4 billion) of costs by the end of the decade” source
a forecast, not an announced cut. Graded 2: the chief executive said AI could make BT smaller later in the decade, not that AI drove the announced cuts.
- UK civil service (government wide voluntary exit schemes, 16% administration cut)2 AI alongside13 Mar 20255,000 UK roles
“And AI is a golden opportunity for efficiency” source
“Of those 36 schemes, we are forecasting around 5,000 exits from the civil service by the end of March 2026,” source
- Dorset Council2 AI alongside31 Jan 2025250 UK rolesautomation, not AI
“increased use of automation for customer contacts will free staff to offer a person-to-person service.” source
“Dorset Council is planning to cut £12.5million from its pay bill - losing between 250 and 300 jobs.” source
- HSBC (UK wealth management)1 Others say AI7 Oct 2026UK figure not stated
“We're continuing to evolve to deliver more digitally enabled products and journeys” source
“about half of the business's management and specialist roles are expected to go” source
- BBC Media Tech1 Others say AI29 Sept 2026110 UK roles
“integrate artificial intelligence tools to optimize operating workflows” source
“Approximately 110 employees within the technical unit face compulsory redundancies” source
figure reported, not confirmed by the employer. part of the BBC programme.
- WPP1 Others say AI1 Sept 20261,000 worldwide, UK share not stated
“At least 18,000 jobs have been lost across Omnicom, Dentsu and WPP in 18 months, as generative AI enables clients to produce content and manage campaigns at scale.” source
“WPP is planning to eliminate up to 1,000 more jobs by the end of 2026.” source
- Allianz Partners (Allianz Group)1 Others say AI8 Jul 2026UK figure not stated
“artificial intelligence is the reason” source
“will cut between 1,500 and 1,800 jobs across Europe” source
Lowered from 4 to 1: the AI link is the reporter's paraphrase; the saved article carries no verbatim executive sentence naming AI.
- KPMG UK (audit and advisory)1 Others say AI2 Apr 2026560 UK roles
“a number of outlets have pointed to the redundancies as a sign of things to come for the sector, with AI taking on more junior roles” source
“some 440 assistant manager roles in the audit business would be cut” source
figure reported, not confirmed by the employer.
- Octopus Investments1 Others say AI25 Mar 2026130 UK roles
“The redundancies are said to have been sparked by Octopus Investments’ increase in technology spending, with a key focus on AI, and an attempt to increase organisational efficiency.” source
“Octopus Investments, which manages £14.6bn in assets under management, is set to put 130 of its 600 roles at risk of redundancy, as it aims to streamline and simplify its business to keep up with a changing world.” source
figure reported, not confirmed by the employer.
- HSBC (group, early stage review)1 Others say AI19 Mar 2026UK figure not stated
“Non-client facing roles in global service centers are among those expected to be most impacted as the bank bets on AI” source
“could ultimately impact around 20,000 roles, or about 10% of its total workforce” source
- British American Tobacco1 Others say AI12 Feb 2026UK figure not stated
“British American Tobacco (BAT) is set to cut jobs and increase its use of AI as part of efforts to “simplify” its operations.” source
“The Lucky Strike and Pall Mall maker’s interim finance boss Javed Iqbal told the Financial Times that initiatives are expected to reduce its headcount and make the business “more digital and AI-focused”.” source
The AI link is a press account of the finance chief's remarks; no verbatim executive sentence read.
- Asda (George.com fulfilment outsourced to DHL, Derby)1 Others say AI20 Jan 20261,200 UK rolesautomation, not AI
“Asda set to cut 1000 jobs as supermarket chain makes further push into automation” source
“Asda will outsource delivery of its clothing brand George to DHL, risking up to 1,200 jobs in the process, GMB Union has said.” source
figure reported, not confirmed by the employer.
- Department for Business and Trade1 Others say AI11 Nov 2025900 UK roles
“It said the Future DBT plan shows the department “gambling on AI and other digital solutions” when it is unclear how such measures would replace the important role played by staff.” source
“PCS said 900 UK roles and 600 overseas roles are at risk as part of the “Future DBT” plan, which would reduce the department’s headcount from 8,000 to 6,500.” source
figure reported, not confirmed by the employer.
- Reach plc (editorial reorganisation)1 Others say AI10 Sept 2025321 UK roles
“accelerate our tech and AI capabilities.” source
“The NUJ claims a proposed restructuring by Reach for its editorial function “puts 600 journalists at risk and threatens 321 jobs being cut.”” source
The AI wording is from Reach's July 2025 results, not the September announcement, so the link to these cuts is the press's.
- Reach plc (sports restructure)1 Others say AI10 Jul 2025104 UK roles
“Either fewer staff will be expected to do more work, or Reach is seeking to use AI to fill the resulting gap.” source
“The NUJ said the company plans to make around 50 roles redundant and 104 roles have been placed at risk.” source
figure reported, not confirmed by the employer.
- Allianz UK (general insurance)1 Others say AI18 Jun 2025650 UK roles
“Allianz has not explicitly linked the cuts to automation” source
“Allianz is planning to cut 650 jobs from its UK insurance operations.” source
- Sky UK (customer service centres)1 Others say AI28 Mar 20252,000 UK roles
“as meaning greater use of self-service online communications tools and AI style chatbots” source
“as many as 2,000 workers (7% of its total workforce) could be facing redundancy as part of a proposed plan to close three of its ten UK customer service centres” source
Sky spoke of a more digital customer service; the AI reading is ISPreview's.
- Admiral Group (UK insurance)D Denied24 Sept 2026500 UK roles
“Admiral uses AI across its operations but says the technology is not behind these cuts.” source
“Admiral plans to cut about 500 roles from its UK insurance business, roughly one in 20 of the people who work there.” source
The denial is Admiral's position as reported by Insurance Business, not a direct quote.
- Centrica (British Gas)D Denied23 Jul 20261,300 UK roles
“AI isn’t driving these particular job reductions; that’s mainly due to changing customer behaviour.” source
“the approximately 1,300 reductions would take place over two years.” source
By AI level
How the tracked roles split across the scale
Every counted cut sits on exactly one level. Only levels 3 and 4 count as AI linked.
UK roles in counted cuts by level.
Month by month
Announced UK job cuts by month
Roles in cuts announced each month, by the month the employer announced them (or the cut was first reported). Cuts are often carried out over months or years, so this shows when they were announced, not when people left.
UK roles in counted announcements. Highlighted months include a cut the employer tied to AI or automation.
By sector
Where the cuts fell
UK roles in counted announcements, grouped by sector.
UK roles in counted announcements.
Every tracked cut
189 announcements, largest first
Each row gives the UK roles, the AI level and a link to the source. Figures reported by unions or the press but not confirmed by the employer are marked; there are 59. Phases of a larger programme are shown under it and not added again.
| Employer | Announced | UK roles | AI level | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHS England, Department of Health and Social Care and integrated care boards (combined) NHS and health · includes Integrated care boards (England, 42 ICBs) (12,500) | 13 Mar 2025 | 18,000 | 0 No AI cited | employer |
| UK civil service (government wide voluntary exit schemes, 16% administration cut) Government and police · includes Department for Transport (voluntary exit scheme) (300) · includes Cabinet Office (1,200) | 13 Mar 2025 | 5,000 | 2 AI alongside | press |
| Whitbread (Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Bar + Block) Hospitality, travel and leisure | 30 Apr 2026 | 3,800 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Sainsbury's Retail | 23 Jan 2025 | 3,000 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| British Steel (Scunthorpe) Manufacturing and industry · later reversed | 27 Mar 2025 | 2,700 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Royal Mail (International Distribution Services / EP Group) Transport and logistics | 7 Oct 2026 | 2,500 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Network Rail Transport and logistics · figure not confirmed by employer | 14 Jan 2026 | 2,000 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Petrofac (parent company administration; UK jobs at risk) Energy and utilities · figure not confirmed by employer | 27 Oct 2025 | 2,000 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Santander UK Banking, finance and insurance | 30 Jul 2025 | 2,000 | 3 AI a stated reason | press |
| Sky UK (customer service centres) Media, telecoms and tech | 28 Mar 2025 | 2,000 | 1 Others say AI | press |
| Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Government and police · figure not confirmed by employer | 17 Oct 2025 | 1,885 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| BBC Media, telecoms and tech · includes BBC Media Tech (110) · includes BBC (first phase: News, Nations, content) (550) | 15 Apr 2026 | 1,800 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Metropolitan Police (2025-26 budget round) Government and police · figure not confirmed by employer | 2 Apr 2025 | 1,700 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust NHS and health · figure not confirmed by employer | 14 Apr 2026 | 1,530 | 0 No AI cited | union |
| Evoke plc (William Hill retail) Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | 31 Mar 2026 | 1,500 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Centrica (British Gas) Energy and utilities | 23 Jul 2026 | 1,300 | D Denied | press |
| Claire's UK and Ireland (Modella Capital; administration, Kroll) Retail | 6 Jan 2026 | 1,300 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Poundland (restructuring plan, 68 stores and two warehouses) Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | 17 Jun 2025 | 1,300 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Pizza Hut UK dine in (DC London Pie Ltd, administration) Hospitality, travel and leisure | 20 Oct 2025 | 1,210 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust NHS and health · figure not confirmed by employer | 14 Apr 2026 | 1,200 | 0 No AI cited | union |
| Asda (George.com fulfilment outsourced to DHL, Derby) Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | 20 Jan 2026 | 1,200 | 1 Others say AI | union |
| Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust NHS and health · figure not confirmed by employer | 14 Apr 2026 | 1,196 | 0 No AI cited | union |
| Metropolitan Police Government and police | 11 Jun 2026 | 1,150 | 4 AI stated | employer |
| Legal & General Banking, finance and insurance | 23 Sept 2026 | 1,000 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Lloyds Banking Group Banking, finance and insurance · figure not confirmed by employer | 16 Jan 2025 | 1,000 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Department for Business and Trade Government and police · figure not confirmed by employer | 11 Nov 2025 | 900 | 1 Others say AI | union |
| Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust NHS and health · figure not confirmed by employer | 14 Apr 2026 | 884 | 0 No AI cited | union |
| Santander UK (95 branch closures) Banking, finance and insurance | 19 Mar 2025 | 750 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Greggs Retail | 30 Sept 2026 | 740 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| ATS Euromaster Manufacturing and industry | 18 Feb 2026 | 703 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| National Car Parks (NCP) Hospitality, travel and leisure | 16 Mar 2026 | 682 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Unimetals Recycling Manufacturing and industry · figure not confirmed by employer | 24 Nov 2025 | 650 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Allianz UK (general insurance) Banking, finance and insurance | 18 Jun 2025 | 650 | 1 Others say AI | press |
| University of Dundee (first round) Universities | 11 Mar 2025 | 632 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Betfred Hospitality, travel and leisure · figure not confirmed by employer | 31 Jul 2026 | 600 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| BT Group (Liverpool office closure) Media, telecoms and tech | 20 Jul 2026 | 600 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Bernard Matthews (Boparan Holdings), Derby site closure Food and drink manufacturing · figure not confirmed by employer | 1 Jul 2026 | 600 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Nationwide Building Society (Virgin Money integration) Banking, finance and insurance · figure not confirmed by employer | 29 Jun 2026 | 600 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| University of Nottingham (draft business case) Universities · figure not confirmed by employer | 27 Apr 2026 | 600 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Denby Pottery Manufacturing and industry · figure not confirmed by employer | 31 Mar 2026 | 600 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Close Brothers Group Banking, finance and insurance | 17 Mar 2026 | 600 | 3 AI a stated reason | press |
| Sky UK (technology reorganisation) Media, telecoms and tech | 16 Sept 2025 | 600 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Revolution Bars Group Hospitality, travel and leisure | 26 Jan 2026 | 591 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| National Timber Group Construction | 26 Nov 2025 | 561 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| KPMG UK (audit and advisory) Professional services · figure not confirmed by employer | 2 Apr 2026 | 560 | 1 Others say AI | press |
| PepsiCo UK (Walkers and other snacks sites) Food and drink manufacturing · figure not confirmed by employer | 6 Aug 2025 | 560 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Lotus Cars Manufacturing and industry | 28 Aug 2025 | 550 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| National Trust Charities and culture | 14 Jul 2025 | 550 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Admiral Group (UK insurance) Banking, finance and insurance | 24 Sept 2026 | 500 | D Denied | press |
| ABN (animal feed, five sites) Food and drink manufacturing · figure not confirmed by employer | 26 Mar 2026 | 500 | 0 No AI cited | union |
| Dwr Cymru Welsh Water Energy and utilities | 11 Sept 2025 | 500 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Jaguar Land Rover (UK management voluntary redundancy) Manufacturing and industry · figure not confirmed by employer | 17 Jul 2025 | 500 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust NHS and health | 16 Apr 2025 | 500 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| BrewDog Hospitality, travel and leisure | 3 Mar 2026 | 484 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| TGI Fridays UK (Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, administration) Hospitality, travel and leisure | 14 Jan 2026 | 456 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| University of Edinburgh Universities | 26 Feb 2025 | 454 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Nestle UK Food and drink manufacturing · figure not confirmed by employer | 24 Apr 2026 | 450 | 0 No AI cited | union |
| Ulster University Universities | 15 Apr 2026 | 450 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Bodycare (administration) Retail | 24 Sept 2025 | 444 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Fujitsu UK Media, telecoms and tech | 2 Apr 2026 | 425 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Paddy Power (Flutter) Hospitality, travel and leisure | 3 Sept 2026 | 400 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| CityFibre Media, telecoms and tech | 28 Jan 2026 | 400 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| University of Essex Universities | 2 Dec 2025 | 400 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Manufacturing and industry | 17 Nov 2025 | 400 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Roberts Bakery Food and drink manufacturing | 7 Oct 2025 | 400 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Lancaster University Universities | 20 Jun 2025 | 400 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Alexander Dennis (ADL) Manufacturing and industry · includes Alexander Dennis (115) | Jun 2025 | 400 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| East Riding of Yorkshire Council Government and police | 7 Feb 2025 | 400 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| University of Sheffield Universities · figure not confirmed by employer | Feb 2025 | 400 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Tesco Retail | 29 Jan 2025 | 400 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Cardiff University Universities | 28 Jan 2025 | 400 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Tesco Retail | 30 Jan 2026 | 380 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Syngenta (Grangemouth) Manufacturing and industry | 1 Oct 2026 | 377 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| NSK Europe (Peterlee bearings factories) Manufacturing and industry | 12 Nov 2025 | 350 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| TalkTalk Group (Platform X Communications, PXC) Media, telecoms and tech | 24 Sept 2025 | 350 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Aldi UK Retail | 27 Feb 2025 | 350 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Birmingham City University Universities | 30 Jun 2025 | 342 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Channel 4 Media, telecoms and tech | 9 Sept 2026 | 340 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| ABP / Linden Foods (Dungannon packing facility) Food and drink manufacturing | 20 Jan 2026 | 338 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Russell & Bromley (administration, Interpath; pre-pack to Next) Retail | 21 Jan 2026 | 332 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Reach plc (editorial reorganisation) Media, telecoms and tech | 10 Sept 2025 | 321 | 1 Others say AI | press |
| University of Greenwich Universities · figure not confirmed by employer | 15 May 2025 | 319 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Cereal Partners UK and Ireland (Nestle and General Mills joint venture) Food and drink manufacturing | 19 Mar 2025 | 314 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Natural England Government and police | 8 May 2026 | 302 | 0 No AI cited | employer |
| Just Group (Brookfield) Banking, finance and insurance · figure not confirmed by employer | 29 Sept 2026 | 300 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Sainsbury's (supermarket and Argos technology, data and head office restructure) Retail | 26 Feb 2026 | 300 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| HM Treasury Government and police · figure not confirmed by employer | 3 Feb 2026 | 300 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Virgin Media O2 Media, telecoms and tech | 14 Jan 2026 | 300 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| International Paper (DS Smith UK packaging) Manufacturing and industry | 23 May 2025 | 300 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Dogs Trust Charities and culture | 26 Mar 2025 | 300 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| University of Bradford Universities · figure not confirmed by employer | Mar 2025 | 300 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Select Fashion (creditors' voluntary liquidation) Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | Mar 2025 | 300 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Whitbread (Premier Inn) Hospitality, travel and leisure | 6 Feb 2025 | 300 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Newcastle University Universities | 22 Jan 2025 | 300 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Santander UK (44 branch closures) Banking, finance and insurance | 29 Jan 2026 | 291 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Dow (Barry siloxanes plant) Manufacturing and industry · figure not confirmed by employer | 28 Apr 2025 | 291 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| LK Bennett (administration; brand sold to Gordon Brothers) Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | 31 Dec 2025 | 280 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Ardmore Construction Group (administration) Construction | 17 Jun 2026 | 275 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Bentley Motors Manufacturing and industry | 17 Mar 2026 | 275 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Venator Materials UK Manufacturing and industry | 22 Oct 2025 | 273 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Queen's University Belfast Universities · figure not confirmed by employer | 3 Feb 2025 | 270 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| University of Derby Universities | 16 Oct 2025 | 265 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Oxfam GB Charities and culture | 7 Apr 2025 | 265 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| University of Nottingham (professional services) Universities | 8 Apr 2025 | 258 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| KDC/One (Swallowfield, Wellington, Somerset) Manufacturing and industry | 19 Nov 2025 | 250 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Harbour Energy Energy and utilities | 8 May 2025 | 250 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Dorset Council Government and police | 31 Jan 2025 | 250 | 2 AI alongside | press |
| Leon Restaurants Hospitality, travel and leisure · figure not confirmed by employer | 10 Dec 2025 | 244 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| University of Bedfordshire Universities | 14 Mar 2025 | 240 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| NSPCC Charities and culture | 12 Sept 2025 | 235 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Reach plc (editorial restructure, three site closures) Media, telecoms and tech | 16 Sept 2026 | 220 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| ITV (daytime) Media, telecoms and tech · figure not confirmed by employer | 21 May 2025 | 220 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| KPMG UK (advisory, data and technology) Professional services · figure not confirmed by employer | 15 Sept 2026 | 200 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| John Lewis Partnership Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | 8 Jul 2026 | 200 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| CityFibre (second round) Media, telecoms and tech | 1 Jul 2026 | 200 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| University of Sussex Universities | 27 May 2026 | 200 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Morrisons (Bradford head office) Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | 14 Apr 2026 | 200 | 3 AI a stated reason | press |
| University of South Wales Universities | 4 Mar 2026 | 200 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Molson Coors UK and Ireland (Sharp's Brewery and Cardiff contact centre) Food and drink manufacturing | 25 Feb 2026 | 200 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Greater London Authority Government and police | 25 Feb 2026 | 200 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| University of Plymouth Universities | 9 May 2025 | 200 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Bournemouth University Universities | 28 Mar 2025 | 200 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Quiz (Zandra Retail administration, pre-pack to Orion Retail) Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | 20 Feb 2025 | 200 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Bangor University Universities | 19 Feb 2025 | 200 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Durham University Universities | 28 Jan 2025 | 200 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Morrisons Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | 24 Jan 2025 | 200 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Croydon Council (adult education, CALAT) Government and police | 8 Oct 2026 | 197 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| RNIB Charities and culture | 16 Apr 2025 | 197 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Save the Children UK Charities and culture | 26 Feb 2025 | 197 | 0 No AI cited | employer |
| AGC Chemicals Europe (Thornton, Lancashire) Manufacturing and industry | 13 Jul 2026 | 190 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| University of Dundee (second round) Universities | 16 Jun 2026 | 190 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Gusto Italian (pre-pack administration) Hospitality, travel and leisure | 29 Jul 2025 | 190 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| English Heritage Charities and culture | 30 Jan 2025 | 189 | 0 No AI cited | employer |
| Cardiff University Universities | 6 Oct 2025 | 187 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Tesco Retail | 25 Feb 2026 | 180 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| ExxonMobil (Mossmorran ethylene plant, Fife) Manufacturing and industry | 19 Nov 2025 | 179 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Deloitte UK (audit and assurance) Professional services · figure not confirmed by employer | 16 Jun 2026 | 175 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Zentia (administration) Construction · figure not confirmed by employer | Jun 2026 | 170 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Oakman Inns and Restaurants (administration) Hospitality, travel and leisure | 22 Jul 2025 | 159 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Headlam Group (administration) Retail | 9 Sept 2026 | 154 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| The Real Greek (Fulham Shore, administration) Hospitality, travel and leisure | 5 May 2026 | 151 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Asda Retail | 1 Jul 2026 | 150 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| University of Exeter Universities | 30 Jun 2026 | 150 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Asda (store management, warehouse and logistics roles, January 2026) Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | 19 Jan 2026 | 150 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (administrative roles) NHS and health | 7 Oct 2025 | 150 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| University of Leicester Universities · figure not confirmed by employer | Oct 2025 | 150 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Vivergo Fuels (ABF) Energy and utilities · figure not confirmed by employer | 15 Aug 2025 | 150 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| PMT (S&T Audio Ltd, musical instrument retailer) Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | Jun 2025 | 150 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Keele University Universities | 12 May 2025 | 150 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Reach plc (Watford printing plant) Media, telecoms and tech | 23 Feb 2026 | 147 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Valeo Foods UK (Pontefract confectionery factory, Barratt) Food and drink manufacturing | 15 Sept 2025 | 134 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Fired Earth Retail | 3 Nov 2025 | 133 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| The Compleat Food Group (Tottle Bakery, Nottingham) Food and drink manufacturing · figure not confirmed by employer | 22 Jan 2025 | 131 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Starling Bank Banking, finance and insurance | 3 Jul 2026 | 130 | 2 AI alongside | press |
| Octopus Investments Banking, finance and insurance · figure not confirmed by employer | 25 Mar 2026 | 130 | 1 Others say AI | press |
| Lidl GB Retail | 13 Oct 2025 | 130 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Norsk Hydro (Bedwas, Caerphilly) Manufacturing and industry | 16 Dec 2025 | 125 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Lindsey Oil Refinery (Prax Group, in insolvency) Energy and utilities | 30 Sept 2025 | 125 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Scope Charities and culture | 17 Apr 2025 | 124 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Starbucks (UK corporate roles, London) Hospitality, travel and leisure · figure not confirmed by employer | 25 Jun 2026 | 120 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Age UK Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (Help at Home closure) Charities and culture | 24 Jun 2026 | 119 | 0 No AI cited | employer |
| Torsion Construction (administration) Construction | 29 Jul 2026 | 115 | 0 No AI cited | employer |
| Morrisons (Myton Food Group, Rathbones Bakery, Wakefield) Food and drink manufacturing | 8 Jan 2026 | 115 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Toolstream Retail | 13 Dec 2025 | 111 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Quiz (administration) Retail | 5 Feb 2026 | 109 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| London Metropolitan University Universities | 14 Jan 2026 | 109 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| DWF Group Professional services | 25 Apr 2025 | 108 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| On the Beach Hospitality, travel and leisure | 6 Aug 2026 | 107 | 4 AI stated | press |
| Innis & Gunn Hospitality, travel and leisure | 6 Mar 2026 | 105 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| British Sugar (Cantley, Norfolk) Food and drink manufacturing | 23 Jul 2026 | 104 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Reach plc (sports restructure) Media, telecoms and tech · figure not confirmed by employer | 10 Jul 2025 | 104 | 1 Others say AI | union |
| Liebherr (Sunderland Works) Manufacturing and industry | 28 Oct 2025 | 102 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| JAO (groundworks, Somerset; ceased trading) Construction · figure not confirmed by employer | 13 Aug 2026 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Netomnia Media, telecoms and tech | 22 Jul 2026 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Worcestershire County Council Government and police | 24 Jun 2026 | 100 | 4 AI stated | press |
| Agetur (administration) Construction · figure not confirmed by employer | Jun 2026 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Morrisons (convenience and general merchandise teams) Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | 5 Mar 2026 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Greene King Hospitality, travel and leisure · figure not confirmed by employer | 16 Feb 2026 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Reach plc (Glasgow printing plant) Media, telecoms and tech | 10 Feb 2026 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Derby City Council Government and police · vacant posts | 12 Jan 2026 | 100 | 4 AI stated | press |
| Harbour Energy Energy and utilities | 1 Dec 2025 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Aston Martin Lagonda (St Athan, round of November 2025) Manufacturing and industry · figure not confirmed by employer | 6 Nov 2025 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| TalkTalk (consumer business) Media, telecoms and tech | 14 Oct 2025 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Coventry Building Society (incl. Co-operative Bank) Banking, finance and insurance | 8 Oct 2025 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Poundland Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | 25 Sept 2025 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Villeroy & Boch (Armitage Shanks, Staffordshire) Manufacturing and industry | 20 Aug 2025 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| River Island Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | 13 Aug 2025 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| MaxiDeals (liquidation) Retail · figure not confirmed by employer | Feb 2025 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
| Ubisoft (Leamington closure, Reflections Newcastle) Media, telecoms and tech · figure not confirmed by employer | 27 Jan 2025 | 100 | 0 No AI cited | press |
Global cuts and forecasts
Cuts with no UK figure, and employers' forecasts
Cuts where the employer gave no UK number, most of them announced worldwide, are listed but never counted; this site does not estimate a UK share. Forecasts are an employer saying how many jobs it expects to go, without an announced cut.
- HSBC (UK wealth management)1 Others say AI7 Oct 2026UK figure not stated
“We're continuing to evolve to deliver more digitally enabled products and journeys” source
“about half of the business's management and specialist roles are expected to go” source
- Amazon (UK Stores division)0 No AI cited7 Oct 2026UK figure not stated
“The company confirmed on Wednesday that it was reducing headcount across its Stores division, which oversees its core online retail operations, with employees in the UK, US and India among those affected.” source
- Entain (customer care consultation)0 No AI cited16 Sept 2026UK figure not stated
“The Ladbrokes and Coral owner opened a consultation covering up to a fifth of its 2,000 customer care roles on 16 September 2026.” source
- bet3650 No AI cited9 Sept 2026UK figure not stated
“Global operator Bet365 has confirmed plans to cut around 340 jobs in response to increased regulatory and tax-related costs.” source
- Jaguar Land Rover0 No AI cited7 Sept 2026UK figure not stated
“Jaguar Land Rover will cut about 4,000 jobs over the next two years.” source
- WPP1 Others say AI1 Sept 20261,000 worldwide, UK share not stated
“At least 18,000 jobs have been lost across Omnicom, Dentsu and WPP in 18 months, as generative AI enables clients to produce content and manage campaigns at scale.” source
“WPP is planning to eliminate up to 1,000 more jobs by the end of 2026.” source
- H&M UK0 No AI cited7 Aug 2026UK figure not stated
“Approximately 250 employees in our UK support offices were informed about a proposed reorganisation and consultation process.” source
- BP0 No AI cited30 Jul 2026UK figure not stated
“BP is planning to cut around 700 jobs as part of the UK major's shift from three business units to two focused on upstream and downstream operations.” source
- Vodafone Group0 No AI cited27 Jul 2026UK figure not stated
“Vodafone Group has said it cut 1,200 jobs across Europe in recent months as the telecoms giant aims to strip two billion euros (£1.71 billion) from its costs in the next four years.” source
- Entain (global cost programme)0 No AI cited19 Jul 2026UK figure not stated
“One of the UK's largest employers in the gambling sector has cut 500 jobs as it seeks to mitigate the tax hikes that came into force in April.” source
- Allianz Partners (Allianz Group)1 Others say AI8 Jul 2026UK figure not stated
“artificial intelligence is the reason” source
“will cut between 1,500 and 1,800 jobs across Europe” source
Lowered from 4 to 1: the AI link is the reporter's paraphrase; the saved article carries no verbatim executive sentence naming AI.
- Nissan (Europe consultation; Sunderland)0 No AI cited5 May 2026UK figure not stated
“The proposals in the consultation include a headcount reduction across Europe of 900 jobs” source
- HSBC (group, early stage review)1 Others say AI19 Mar 2026UK figure not stated
“Non-client facing roles in global service centers are among those expected to be most impacted as the bank bets on AI” source
“could ultimately impact around 20,000 roles, or about 10% of its total workforce” source
- Ingka Group (IKEA retail, Group Functions)0 No AI cited19 Mar 2026UK figure not stated
“As a result, 800 roles may become redundant within Group Functions.” source
- British Council0 No AI cited6 Mar 20262,000 worldwide, UK share not stated
“could slash its workforce by up to a quarter” source
- Ocado Group0 No AI cited26 Feb 2026UK figure not stated
“Around 1,000 jobs are being axed at Ocado.” source
- WPP2 AI alongside26 Feb 2026UK figure not stated
“Aiming to be “a simpler, lower-cost, AI-enabled business”, the London-based company laid out plans to achieve £500m of annual savings by 2028, at a cost of £400m over two years.” source
“The beleaguered UK advertising group WPP has announced a radical restructure to counter the threat posed by the growth of artificial intelligence, including plans to sell assets and job cuts.” source
- Aston Martin Lagonda0 No AI cited25 Feb 2026UK figure not stated
“This latest programme will ultimately see the departure of up to 20 per cent of our valued workforce.” source
- British American Tobacco1 Others say AI12 Feb 2026UK figure not stated
“British American Tobacco (BAT) is set to cut jobs and increase its use of AI as part of efforts to “simplify” its operations.” source
“The Lucky Strike and Pall Mall maker’s interim finance boss Javed Iqbal told the Financial Times that initiatives are expected to reduce its headcount and make the business “more digital and AI-focused”.” source
The AI link is a press account of the finance chief's remarks; no verbatim executive sentence read.
- Heineken (global)0 No AI cited11 Feb 2026UK figure not stated
“reduce its global headcount by 5,000 to 6,000 positions over the next two years.” source
- UPS0 No AI cited28 Jan 2026UK figure not stated
“has announced plans to slash up to 30,000 jobs” source
- Concentrix (Currys contact centres incl. Sheffield)0 No AI cited20 Jan 2026UK figure not stated
“Concentrix said estimated less than 300 employees would be affected by the proposals, including staff at its contact centre in Sheffield, which handles more than 175,000 calls every week.” source
- The Original Factory Shop (Modella Capital; administration, Interpath)0 No AI cited6 Jan 2026UK figure not stated
“Independent discount retail chain The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) closed all of its 137 stores earlier this month, resulting in the redundancy of the majority of its 1,180 employees.” source
The administrators said the majority of 1,180 employees were made redundant; no exact figure was given.
- Ovo Energy0 No AI cited22 Nov 2025UK figure not stated
“Ovo Energy is drawing up plans to cut hundreds of jobs” source
- Amazon (global corporate round, October 2025)2 AI alongside28 Oct 2025UK figure not stated
“This generation of AI is the most transformative technology we’ve seen since the internet and it’s enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before.” source
“UK office roles are amongst those on the chopping block” source
- Claire's Accessories (UK and Ireland)0 No AI cited13 Aug 2025UK figure not stated
“While all of the retailer's 306 stores in the UK and Ireland and its headquarters in Birmingham are expected to continue trading, fears have heightened over the 2,150 jobs at risk across the two regions.” source
- Primark (Associated British Foods)0 No AI cited26 Jun 2025UK figure not stated
“PRIMARK is set to cut over 150 jobs in Ireland and Britain as part of a global restructuring plan.” source
- River Island0 No AI cited20 Jun 2025UK figure not stated
“Hundreds of jobs are at risk at River Island as part of plans to shut 33 of its UK stores.” source
- BT Group2 AI alongside15 Jun 2025UK figure not stated
“Depending on what we learn from AI . . . there may be an opportunity for BT to be even smaller by the end of the decade.” source
“Kirkby told the newspaper that BT's plans to cull more than 40,000 jobs and strip out 3 billion pounds ($4 billion) of costs by the end of the decade” source
a forecast, not an announced cut. Graded 2: the chief executive said AI could make BT smaller later in the decade, not that AI drove the announced cuts.
- Burberry0 No AI cited14 May 2025UK figure not stated
“British luxury brand Burberry has announced plans to reduce its global workforce by around 1,700 roles, close to 18% by the end of its 2027 financial year, as part of an expanded cost-saving initiative to turn the business around.” source
- BBC World Service0 No AI cited29 Jan 2025UK figure not stated
“BBC World Service will cut a net 130 jobs, including in the UK, as it battles to save £6m in the year ahead.” source
- Schroders0 No AI cited17 Jan 2025UK figure not stated
“The cuts, which will affect around 200 jobs primarily in the technology sector” source
- BP0 No AI cited16 Jan 2025UK figure not stated
“Energy giant BP is set to cut nearly 8,000 jobs around the world” source
- Meta (UK, via Prospect)0 No AI cited15 Jan 2025UK figure not stated
“Meta have announced plans to cut around 5% of their global workforce.” source
The national picture
3.9 redundancies per 1,000 employees, 114,000 people in three months
The tracker only sees cuts big enough to be announced. The Labour Force Survey counts everyone who reports being made redundant: 114,000 people in May to July 2026, a rate of 3.9 per 1,000 employees. The peak since the series began in 1995 was 354,000 in 2020 (October to December). Employers proposing 20 or more redundancies at one site must notify the Insolvency Service on form HR1; ONS publishes the counts, 291,653 potential redundancies in 2025. HR1 counts are proposals, not job losses.
Thousands of people made redundant in the three months before interview, annual figure, seasonally adjusted. Source: ONS LFS, series BEAO and BEIR.
Potential redundancies on HR1 forms by month received, Great Britain, not seasonally adjusted. Source: ONS, HR1 potential redundancies (official statistics in development).
“Of businesses using AI to improve business operations, 63% reported no change in worker headcount, while 1% reported increased headcount and 6% reported decreased headcount. These early indications show that the impact on employment remains limited at this stage.”
Since 1950
Is AI different? Seventy years of job cuts and the machines blamed for them
Britain has argued about machines taking jobs before: automated car plants in the 1950s, mechanised sorting in the Post Office, containers on the docks, computer typesetting in Fleet Street. The same scale is applied to 24 of the largest or most argued over cuts since 1950, graded on what was said at the time. There is no official count of redundancies before 1977, so the national picture starts with unemployment.
“Comparable information on redundancies prior to 1977 does not exist.”
Redundancies confirmed by the Manpower Services Commission as due to occur, from notifications involving ten or more workers, Great Britain. 1977 to 1984: Hansard written answer, 23 October 1985. 1987 to 1990: Hansard written answer, 8 May 1991. 1985: Employment Gazette, December 1986, as reprinted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (June 1987), which also gives 245,000 for 1984. 1986 and 1991: printed in the Employment Gazette but not found in a source that could be checked.
The government stopped this series in summer 1992. A minister told Parliament in 1993: “However, this series was discontinued because it proved to be an unreliable indicator of the actual number of redundancies taking place.” The ONS survey measure that replaced it counts people made redundant in the three months before interview, so the two are not joined.
24 cuts since 1950, graded on what was said at the time (9 with a technology link)
- Standard Motor Company (Coventry)1 Others say AI8 May 19563,500 UK rolesautomation, not AI
“I understand that whilst a certain number of additional automatic processes will be installed this is only a part of the re-equipment of the factory and the installation of these particular machines is not the cause of the dispute.” source
“The Standard Motor Co. in 1956 proposed a lay-off of 3,500 of 11,000 Standard workers,...” source
- British Motor Corporation0 No AI cited3 Jul 19566,000 UK roles
“The first was the announcement by the British Motor Corporation that it was sacking, out of hand, 6,000 workers.” source
- British Railways Board (Beeching, Reshaping of British Railways)0 No AI cited29 Apr 196370,000 UK roles
“the adoption of the railways' proposals would mean the disappearance over the next few 725 years of about 70,000 jobs. I emphasised, however, that most of the reduction would be effected by normal wastage and control of recruitment.” source
The Minister said most of the 70,000 would go through normal wastage and recruitment control, with few discharges.
- London docks (National Dock Labour Scheme, London register)1 Others say AI23 Jul 19693,774 UK roles
“It was because of this uneven rate of introduction of new techniques and the disparities which have arisen, coupled with the fears arising from redundancy, that the Transport and General Workers Union, in January, 1968, placed a ban on the implementation of certain new techniques until a comprehensive package deal had been negotiated for the whole of the docks.” source
“The registered dock labour force on 18th October, 1967, was 23,616. By 15th July this year it had fallen to 19,842.” source
Fall in the London dock register between October 1967 and July 1969, worked out from two Government figures; a register, not one employer.
- Upper Clyde Shipbuilders0 No AI cited14 Jun 19717,500 UK roles
“Will he tell the House exactly what this will mean for the 7,500 people employed in U.C.S. and for the 20,000 others who are employed in the supplying industries?” source
Figure given by an MP; workers put at risk by the liquidation, not an announced redundancy number.
- Port of London Authority (Royal group of docks)1 Others say AI24 Jul 19782,000 UK roles
“In recent years, with union co-operation, many thousands of workers have left the docks because of such facets of modernisation as roll on/roll off, containerisation, and modern handling equipment.” source
“On the PLA's figures, if the Royals are closed, up to 2,000 people could be declared redundant, of whom about a third are registered dockers.” source
An MP's statement of the port authority's figures, conditional on the closure; the technology remark is about earlier dock job losses.
- Times Newspapers Ltd (The Times, The Sunday Times)1 Others say AI30 Nov 19784,270 UK roles
“Although the management is undoubtedly seeking substantial reductions in manning levels in order to achieve greater efficiency and to accompany the introduction of new technology, its intention is that that should be achieved by voluntary severance on special terms that it has proposed.” source
“In the event, on 18th September Times Newspapers Limited formally notified me of potential redundancies affecting all its 4,270 employees.” source
Formal notice covering 4,270 staff during the shutdown, not an announced cut; the technology wording is the Employment Secretary's account of management's aims.
- British Steel Corporation (Corby)0 No AI cited7 Nov 19796,000 UK roles
“What will be the consequences if the closure, bringing with it nearly 6,000 redundancies, goes ahead without discussion, peremptorily on the say-so of the British Steel Corporation, forced to do that by the suburban-bank-manager attitude of the Secretary of State?” source
Figure given by an MP; the Secretary of State put the resulting male unemployment at about 6,000.
- British Steel Corporation (Consett)0 No AI cited21 Jan 19803,700 UK roles
“My hon. Friend the Member for Consett (Mr. Watkins) tells me that there are about 3,700 steel redundancies in the offing in his area.” source
Figure given by MPs in debate.
- British Steel Corporation (national plan)0 No AI cited17 Mar 198052,000 UK roles
“regarding the 52,000 job losses by the British Steel Corporation and consequential job losses in the British coal industry” source
Figure given by an MP in a written question; the Minister's answer gave no number.
- British Leyland (Edwardes plan)0 No AI cited16 May 198025,000 UK roles
“The chairman then went on to detail his streamlining proposals-the closure, completely or partially, of several plants, concentration of vehicle assembly on key sites and a reduction in United Kingdom manning levels as a result of these proposals by not less than 25,000 over two years.” source
A floor of not less than 25,000 over two years, as an MP described the chairman's plan.
- Talbot (PSA Peugeot-Citroen), Linwood0 No AI cited11 Feb 19814,800 UK roles
“Apart from the 4,800 jobs which will be lost at Linwood itself, there will be consequences for suppliers.” source
- National Coal Board0 No AI cited7 Jun 198420,000 UK roles
“It was then that the NCB admitted that the plan would mean the loss of 20,000 jobs this year and a cut in output to 97.4 million tonnes.” source
Figure given by MPs from both sides, as the Board's proposal of 20 pits.
- News International (Times, Sunday Times, Sun, News of the World) - Wapping1 Others say AI3 Mar 19865,500 UK roles
“Standing out against new technology does not preserve jobs, it destroys them.” source
“Rupert Murdoch's callous and malevolent sacking of his entire work force of 5,500 without a penny of compensation or redundancy pay is an act of savagery unparalleled in British industrial relations.” source
Dismissals during a dispute, not a redundancy programme; figure given by MPs; the technology link is the Government minister's.
- National Dock Labour Scheme (registered dock workers)1 Others say AI6 Apr 198917,600 UK roles
“Since then, however, there have been radical changes in cargo-handling technology, and dock work today, by its very nature, requires a permanent and skilled workforce.” source
“During the same period, the number of registered dock workers has dropped by nearly two-thirds from 27,000 to 9,400 today.” source
Fall in registered dock workers over ten years, worked out from two Government figures; not one announcement.
- British Coal (31 pits)0 No AI cited19 Oct 199230,000 UK roles
“Last week I agreed that British Coal should announce that it would cease production at 31 pits over the course of the next five months with the loss of up to 30,000 jobs.” source
- Lloyds TSB (Lloyds Bank and TSB merger)2 AI alongside5 Mar 199710,000 UK roles
“The UK retail financial services environment has changed out of all recognition over the past 10 years. Two words encapsulate that change: competition and technology.” source
“BIFU has identified 650 bank branches which are at risk due to their close proximity, and possibly up to 10,000 jobs which could be lost as a result of the merger.” source
A union estimate of up to 10,000 quoted in the Lords; the banks said reductions would come through wastage, redeployment and voluntary means.
- Vauxhall Motors (General Motors), Luton0 No AI cited13 Dec 20002,000 UK roles
“The decision in relation to Luton is a bitter blow, with the prospect of 2,000 jobs being lost by this time next year.” source
- Consignia / Royal Mail Group (restructuring phase 1)0 No AI cited25 Mar 200213,000 UK roles
“The company expects that, together, these changes will mean the loss of 13,000 jobs over the next three years with a further 2,000 jobs going through natural wastage.” source
- Consignia / Royal Mail Group (restructuring phase 2)0 No AI cited13 Jun 200217,000 UK roles
“He announced that the Royal Mail would save £350 million a year by moving to a single delivery at a consistent time, six days a week, and that those plans would result in a further 17,000 redundancies over the next three years.” source
- MG Rover Group (Longbridge)0 No AI cited8 Apr 20056,000 UK roles
“The subsequent closure of MG Rover's plant at Longbridge in the West Midlands resulted in the loss of almost 6,000 MG Rover jobs, with potentially serious adverse consequences for the local economy.” source
- Woolworths Group (UK)0 No AI cited22 Dec 200827,000 UK roles
“Woolworths, a UK retailer, has announced the closure of all of its 807 stores in the UK with the loss of 27000 jobs.” source
- BT Group3 AI a stated reason18 May 202355,000 worldwide, UK share not stated
“By continuing to build and connect like fury, digitise the way we work and simplify our structure, by the end of the 2020s BT Group will rely on a much smaller workforce and a significantly reduced cost base.” source
“BT plans to reduce its workforce by up to 55,000 by 2030 and become what CEO Philip Jansen predictably describes as "a leaner business with a brighter future."” source
The 40,000 to 55,000 range is BT's whole labour resource, including contractors and staff outside the UK; BT gave no UK only figure.
- Tata Steel UK (Port Talbot)2 AI alongside19 Jan 20242,800 UK roles
“Under the transformation plan, Tata Steel will embark on a £1.25 billion investment in Electric Arc Furnace technology in Port Talbot and asset upgrades to secure long-term, high-quality production at the UK's largest steelmaker.” source
“The transition at Tata Steel's UK operations is subject to consultation but could be expected to result in up to 2,800 potential job losses across the business out of which around 2,500 roles could be impacted during the next 18 months.” source
Questions this raises
What the tracker does not settle
- Is AI causing the job cuts?
- Not on employers' own account, so far. Of 111,306 UK roles in announced cuts since January 2025, employers tied 2,907 to AI or automation: 800 to AI and 2,107 to automation. Far more announcements mention AI only in passing, or are linked to it by unions and commentators, and several employers have denied it. ONS's business survey finds most firms using AI report no change in headcount.
- Could employers be playing AI down?
- Possibly. Saying AI replaced staff can be unpopular, and cost, restructuring or 'changing customer behaviour' can describe the same change. That is why the scale grades what was said, not what may be true, and why the contested middle is shown in full.
- Could employers be playing AI up?
- Also possible. Calling a cut AI driven can sound like modernisation rather than retrenchment. A level 4 grade records the employer's claim; it does not prove the technology did the work.
- Why only 100 or more roles?
- It matches the threshold for the 45 day collective consultation, so the announcement is usually public. Smaller cuts are counted in the national figures but are too many and too rarely announced to track by name.
- Why does HSBC not count as an AI cut?
- Reports in October 2026 said HSBC was cutting UK wealth roles as part of a wider AI push. HSBC confirmed a consultation but gave no number and did not attribute it to AI, so it sits at level 1 with the UK figure not stated.
- Is AI different from earlier waves of automation?
- In one way the pattern looks familiar. Of the 24 historic cuts graded here, 9 had technology in the argument at the time, and in 6 of them the link was made by ministers, MPs or unions rather than the employer, as with AI and most cuts today. The cuts that changed the labour market most, in coal, steel, cars and shipbuilding, were not blamed on machines at all.
- Why does the national record start in 1977?
- Because nothing earlier exists. The Department of Employment told Parliament in 1982 that comparable information on redundancies before 1977 does not exist. Its confirmed redundancy series ran from 1977 until summer 1992, when it was dropped as an unreliable indicator; 1986 and 1991 have not yet been found in a source that can be checked. The ONS survey measure shown above starts in 1995.
Sources & method
Data provenance
- ONS, LFS redundancies level (BEAO) and rate (BEIR), 15 September 2026 ↗· Open Government Licence v3.0
- ONS, Employment in the UK: September 2026 ↗· Open Government Licence v3.0
- ONS, Advanced notification of potential redundancies (HR1), 8 October 2026 ↗· Open Government Licence v3.0
- ONS, Developing an indicator of potential redundancies using Insolvency Service data ↗· Open Government Licence v3.0
- Insolvency Service, Management information on the Advanced Notification of Redundancy Scheme ↗· Open Government Licence v3.0
- ONS, Artificial intelligence in UK businesses: 2023 to 2026 (20 July 2026) ↗· Open Government Licence v3.0
- Employer statements, regulatory filings, council and board papers, union releases and press reports for each of the 233 entries, linked on each row ↗· Quoted for reporting
- Hansard, written answer on redundancies, 16 November 1982 ↗· Open Parliament Licence
- Hansard, written answers on confirmed redundancies, 23 October 1985, 8 May 1991 and 12 July 1993 ↗· Open Parliament Licence
- L. Root, Britain's redundancy payments for displaced workers, BLS Monthly Labor Review, June 1987 (reprints Employment Gazette, December 1986) ↗· US government work
- Bank of England, A millennium of macroeconomic data for the UK, version 3.1 ↗· Bank of England, quoted
Caveats & data notes
- Before 1977 there is no official count of redundancies. The history section uses the Bank of England's unemployment series for context and grades named cases from Hansard and official records; several historic job figures are those given by MPs in Parliament and are marked as such.
- The scale grades what the employer and others said, not whether AI actually caused the cut. An employer may play AI down or up.
- The tracker includes cuts of 100 or more UK roles that were publicly announced or reported. Many smaller cuts, and some large ones never made public, are missing; the ONS figures cover all redundancies.
- Role counts are the employer's figure where it gave one. Where only a union or the press gave a number, the row is marked and still counted in the total, but never in the AI figure.
- Announced cuts are often smaller in the end: through voluntary exits, redeployment, vacancies left unfilled or plans withdrawn. The tracker records the announcement and updates status when known.
- Global cuts with no UK figure are listed but not counted. No UK share is estimated.
- Derby City Council's 100 posts were vacant when deleted; no one was made redundant. They are counted because the jobs no longer exist.
- The Metropolitan Police tied about 500 of 1,150 planned reductions to an analytics contract that was then blocked; those 500 are not in the AI figure.
- ONS HR1 figures exclude forms that mention contract changes, pensions or TUPE transfers rather than dismissals, which is why they run below the Insolvency Service's own management information.
- Quotes are verbatim from the saved source page; dashes are shown as hyphens.
Every figure on this page traces to its official source. Share it as it stands.
Keep going
Related deep dives
A personal analysis. Income tax and National Insurance raise more than half of what HMRC collects, and they are levied on wages. This page reads the official exposure estimates, works through what an 85 per cent workforce cut at a bank like Lloyds would mean for the Exchequer and for the people, and weighs three responses: taxing the machine, penalising offshoring and rewarding UK hiring, and a German style earnings related unemployment insurance.
New style Jobseeker's Allowance pays 95.55 pounds a week for up to 182 days whatever you earned; Germany pays 60 per cent of previous net pay (67 with a child) for six to 24 months. The rules side by side, two worked examples at UK wages, what each system costs, the OECD comparison across seven countries, and the earnings related benefit Britain paid from 1966 to 1982.
The UK economic inactivity rate is 20.9 per cent, 9.1 million people aged 16 to 64, broken down by reason, with long term sickness now the single biggest reason and the fastest growing since before the pandemic, from Labour Force Survey figures the ONS itself badges as official statistics in development.
The monthly reading
Get the next one by email
One email a month: the national resilience score, what moved, and the newest analyses like this one, plus The Quarterly Record four times a year. Every figure traced to its official source.