Firstsource to axe 500 call centre jobs

Up to 500 jobs are to be axed at Firstsource call centres across Thornaby and Middlesbrough.

The job losses will be split between the two sites with around 150 staff continuing to work from the base in Fountain Court, Middlesbrough.

Firstsource deals with Payment Protection Insurance claims against Barclaycard and said the job losses are due to a decline in claims.

The company took on nearly 600 staff in May when PPI claims were increasing.

Lack of work

Firstsource said they would try to find new work for staff if they want it. A 90-day consultation period is under way.

Staff outside the company's premises in Middlesbrough said they had feared the announcement for some time.

Karen Breslin said: "They haven't got enough work, we saw it coming.

"The work has been reducing, the new work wasn't coming in."

Colleague James Mcveigh said staff had been "guaranteed" contracts for a "significant period of time" when Firstsource took over the contract.