Business · Companies · 13 hrs ago
BT cuts 7,731 jobs as half-year profits rise 12%
BT cut 7,731 jobs in six months, leaving 90,000 workers outside its international business at the end of September.
The UK telecoms group said most cuts came at Openreach, after its fibre network build peaked.
BT is reducing costs as part of a restructuring programme that runs to March 2030.
Pre-tax profits rose 12% to £1.1 billion in the six months to September 30.
Last month, BT paid £400 million to rescue TalkTalk’s consumer business and wholesale arm, helping protect 900 jobs in Salford and telecoms supply to 2.5 million households.
Regulators are reviewing the TalkTalk deal, and BT says it must keep the business separate while that review takes place.
BT expects to have around 65,000 to 70,000 workers after its international business is separated into a planned joint venture with Verizon.
BT’s workforce, excluding its international business, fell by 7,731 to 90,000, as the company continued its cost-cutting programme.
Pre-tax profits rose 12% year on year to £1.1 billion in the six months to September 30.
Most job reductions were in Openreach, following the peak of its fibre network build.
BT said its savings drive delivered £312 million in annualised savings in the first half.
One article says the workforce fell over the half-year to the end of September; the other says it fell over the half-year to the end of March.
- Who
- BT, the UK telecoms group.
- What
- Its workforce fell by 7,731 to 90,000, while pre-tax profits rose 12% to £1.1 billion.
- When
- The workforce reduction was reported on November 5, 2026. BT said the profit figure covered the six months to September 30.
- Where
- The job reductions were mainly in Openreach; TalkTalk’s 900 workers are based in Salford, Greater Manchester.
- Why
- BT said fewer roles were needed in Openreach after the peak of its fibre network build, as part of a wider cost-cutting programme.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
BT said it was increasing its cost-savings target by another £700 million and extending its restructuring programme by a year, to the end of March 2030.
BT rescued TalkTalk from administration for £400 million.
The Competition and Markets Authority was due to report back to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy on its investigation of the TalkTalk deal.
BT reported a 7,731 reduction in its workforce and a 12% year-on-year rise in pre-tax profits.
- Workforce
- 90,000, excluding the international business
- Workforce reduction
- 7,731 since the end of March
- Pre-tax profits
- £1.1 billion, up 12% year on year
- TalkTalk rescue
- £400 million
- TalkTalk workers
- 900 jobs in Salford, Greater Manchester
- Savings target
- About £3.5 billion a year, down from £3.7 billion
3 sources
What people are saying
Our UK-centric strategy and transformation is clearly delivering with £312 million of annualised savings achieved in the first half, as we continue to simplify and modernise.
Our proposed international joint venture with Verizon is progressing at pace, and we’ve also stepped up for the country with the acquisition of TalkTalk, protecting millions of customers while creating value for all our stakeholders.