AN MP has slammed Virgin Media O2 after it has shown ‘no regard’ for ‘loyal staff’ as hundreds of jobs in a Preston Brook call centre could be axed.

Around 140 members of staff could be made redundant, with a further 90 potential voluntary redundancies, if Virgin Media O2 closes its Capita office on Chester Road.

These employees, of which there are around 400, would either lose their jobs or relocate to a different office in Wythenshawe in Manchester.

The CWU trade union, which represents many of the staff, says that the jobs of those impacted by the redundancies will now being going to call centres in India or the Philippines.

“Companies like Virgin Media O2 are getting rid of British workers and exporting their jobs to poorer countries where wages are lower,” said Mike Amesbury, MP for Runcorn and Helsby.

“I fear even those with the option of continuing are effectively being forced out of work because redeployment to Manchester is not realistic for many.

“It’s a clear example of a highly profitable company showing no regard for its loyal staff base, with all the negative consequences for local families and our community.

“Going forward, I would hope every employer is more mindful of the need to protect their employees job security given we have a Labour government committed to strengthening employment rights.”

The CWU is now pressing Virgin Media O2 to sign up to the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter and pay the Real Living Wage to all staff based in Wythenshawe, including any employees relocating from Preston Brook.

However, a spokesperson for Virgin Media O2 has said that no final decisions have been made on any redundancies.

The spokesperson also clarified stated that while some of its partners have call centres abroad, they also have a presence in the UK, and therefore the jobs impacted may not be offshored.

"We are proposing to outsource some mobile re-contracting roles currently based at Preston Brook. No final decisions have been made," the spokesperson said.

"We appreciate that this can be an unsettling time for our people and are committed to supporting impacted employees through any period of change as we set ourselves up to better deliver for our customers."