ENERGY giant Npower is to axe 4,500 jobs in the run-up to Christmas.

The move comes as part of plans to restructure the company to make it more profitable. Workers will be given details at briefings later on Friday.

But unions have blasted it as a "cruel blow" for employees.

Npower's owner Eon says it is stepping up its "ambitious cost-cutting efforts" without losing sight of its customers, adding: "This is based on leaner, increasingly digital processes that also improve the customer experience."

Johannes Teyssen, chief executive of Eon, 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."

An Eon spokesman added: "It is only right and fair that colleagues are informed first of any possible changes and we will be making no further comment at this time."

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: "This is a cruel blow for Npower employees. They’ve been worried about their jobs for months. Now their worst fears have been realised, less than a month before Christmas.

“The UK energy market is in real danger of collapse. If nothing is done, there could soon be other casualties."

More to follow…

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