News

Vodafone announces plans to cut 11,000 jobs over the next three years

The telecoms company says it's aiming to "cut out complexity" in order to "regain our competitiveness".

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 16th May 2023

Vodafone has announced drastic plans to cut 11,000 job roles globally over the next three years after its financial performance was deemed “not good enough”.

In a shocking move that’s set to impact its UK operations, the new chief executive of the telecoms company – which employs just over 100,000 people worldwide – has today revealed that the firm has become “uncompetitive”, and around 11,000 job roles will need to be cut over the next three years in an attempt to recover its finances.

The job cuts are said to amount to about 12% of Vodafone’s global workforce.

Margherita Della Valle, who was permanently appointed CEO of Vodafone last month, announced in a statement this morning: “Our performance has not been good enough.

“My priorities are customers, simplicity and growth.

Vodafone announces plans to cut 11,000 jobs over the next three years / Credit: Vodafone

“We will simplify our organisation, cutting out complexity to regain our competitiveness, and we will reallocate resources to deliver the quality service our customers expect.”

The announcement of job cuts today comes as Vodafone reported a 1.3% drop in full-year earnings to £12.8 billion.

Just over 9,000 people work for Vodafone in the UK, but at this time, the company is yet to respond to requests for information on how many roles would be affected in this country.

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It has been confirmed, however, that Vodafone’s headquarters in Berkshire would see an impact.

Featured Image – Vodafone

News

Major Co-op Live concert cancelled with fans already inside venue

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Co-op Live is running a limited two-for-one offer on gig tickets

Major Co-op Live gig Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled this evening – after fans had already entered the venue.

Jeff Lynne’s ELO were set to perform the second of two nights at the huge Manchester venue tonight, as part of their final UK tour.

The Over and Out Tour should have been taking place on both the 9 and 10 July before heading to London’s BST Hyde Park Festival on Sunday.

But the show has been cancelled minutes before the legendary band were due to take to the stage.

Fans had already taken their seats inside the massive Co-op Live Arena when the news broke that the gig would not be able to take place ‘due to illness’.

77-year-old Jeff Lynne himself, who recently broke his hand in an accident, is said to be ‘devastated’ that he is unable to perform.

Jeff Lynne's ELO has been cancelled at Co-op Live
Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled at Co-op Live

A statement from the band said: “Unfortunately due to illness tonight’s (Thursday 10th July 2025) scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the Co-Op Live will not be going ahead.

“Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening.

“More information will become available as soon as possible. For refunds please go to your point of purchase.”

According to fans, audiences inside Co-op Live were told the show was cancelled with just 45 minutes to go.

One person wrote: “The concert that never was. Cancelled with 45mins to go. Get well soon Jeff Lynne.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Andy Burnham reveals plans to build underground tram and train line in Manchester by 2050

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Underground train

Andy Burnham has announced some ambitious long-term plans to build an underground tram and train line in Manchester.

As Greater Manchester sets its sights on a new era of economic growth, on the way to becoming a ‘second city’ to rival any other on the planet by 2050, Mayor Andy Burnham shared the city region’s blueprint for a ‘greener, fairer future’ this week – with underground transport plans being right the heart of it.

Mr Burnham says his vision for the next decade is to create a ‘thriving’ city region where everyone can ‘live a good life’.

At the launch of The Greater Manchester Strategy 2025-2035 this week, the Mayor announced everything from plans to build thousands of new homes, including social housing, to intentions to transform the region’s technical education system through delivery of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc), and more.

Andy Burnham reveals plans to build an underground tram and train line in Manchester / Credit: TfGM

But it’s public transport where it seems some of the most significant changes are set to be made before 2050 arrives.

The Mayor revealed plans for new bus routes, tramlines, and train stations to connect ‘thriving communities’ across the city region with an integrated lower-cost transport system that’ll help more people get out and access new opportunities. 

Construction of a tram stop to service new homes at Victoria North will also start by 2028, it has been confirmed, while work to bring Metrolink to Stockport – which has already been announced to huge support – will begin by 2030.

Two commuter rail lines will join the Bee Network next December as well, with another six joining by 2028. 

The headline-grabbing announcement, though, has to be that Mr Burnham has also announced plans to unlock ‘transformative’ investment in transport infrastructure, so that by 2050, Manchester Piccadilly has an underground tram and train station with a high-speed rail link to Liverpool.

He’s also looking to boost regeneration of the surrounding area, effectively making it ‘the Kings Cross of the North’.  

“We’re the UK’s fastest growing economy and stand on the cusp of what I believe could be our best decade since the Victorian era,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham, “and our task for the next decade is to build a platform for success for all our residents.

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“Our vision is ambitious, but in my eight years as Mayor, I’ve learned that, when we pull together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.

“There’s a long and proud tradition of collaboration in Greater Manchester. Devolution has turbocharged that and now we’re ready to deliver a new model of growth where no one is left behind.”

Featured Image – Maria Lupan (via Unsplash)

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