TECHNOLOGY giant Hewlett Packard plans to axe almost 500 jobs in Warrington at the start of 2014.

It is believed that up to 483 positions are at risk at its Birchwood Science Park North site in north Risley as part of a restructuring of the company.

Helen Jones, MP for Warrington North, said the news was ‘extremely disappointing and represents another blow to hard working people’.

Mrs Jones added: “It is particularly distressing for the families affected at this time of year. It is clear that the Chancellor’s optimistic rhetoric about improvements in the economy are premature and not being felt in Warrington.”

Council leader Terry O’Neill said: “We’re mindful of the distress that this will cause to any redundant employees and their families, and it’s unfortunate  for Warrington as a whole that a company is considering local job losses.

“We will work with the company and the unions to mitigate the potential damage, and we hope the company will be able to help redundant employees to re-train and to find work elsewhere.

“For its part, Warrington Borough Council will continue to do everything in its power to help attract new business and new jobs to Warrington."

It is not only Warrington that is affected by the planned changes, as jobs are also under threat in Bracknell and Sheffield, with up to 1,124 positions in total at risk at the IT company. 

Unite, the country’s largest union, has condemned the announcement and claimed HP is a company that is ‘a long-term addict to a culture of job cuts’.

A spokesman for the company has confirmed that all sites in the UK will remain open despite the changes.

The spokesman added: “HP commenced consultation for Q1 FY14 on November 28, 2013, in the UK regarding potential workforce changes for 2014.

“The proposed UK workforce management plan is part of HP’s global multi-year productivity initiative that was announced on May 23, 2012, and updated at its Securities Analysts Meeting on October 9, 2013, to address current market and business pressures in support of HP’s turnaround in EMEA.

“HP remains committed to supporting the employability of its employees through a number of internal initiatives, including re-skilling, redeployment and support to obtain alternative employment as appropriate.”