Npower to restructure which could put 4,500 jobs at risk

29 November 2019, 07:17

The firm's parent company E.ON has announced plans to restructure its business.
The firm's parent company E.ON has announced plans to restructure its business. Picture: Getty
EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

Npower has announced a restructure of its UK business that unions have warned could threaten 4,500 UK jobs and the closure of call centres.

The energy giant has been struggling for years due to fierce competition in the industry.

The news was described as a "body blow" by one union official, especially coming just weeks before Christmas.

Workers are set to be given details at briefings later on Friday.

Johannes Teyssen, chief executive of Npower's owners E.ON said: "The UK market is currently particularly challenging. We've emphasised repeatedly that we'll take all necessary action to return our business there to consistent profitability.

"For this purpose, we've put together proposals and already begun discussing them with British unions."

A spokesman for the GMB union said: "Clearly this announcement will be a body blow to Npower workers across the UK.

An Npower spokesperson said: "E.ON and innogy will consult and work with Trade Unions and employee representatives on this plan and are committed to mitigating the impact on employees.

"Current npower redundancy terms will be maintained as well as a range of outplacement activities to support npower employees leaving the company."