Hundreds of tube workers and contractors may lose their jobs under planned restructuring by Metronet, a consortium now responsible for two-thirds of the network.

Metronet, which employs more than 5,000 staff, took control of the Bakerloo, Central and Victoria (BCV) and SSL (Sub-Surface Lines) operations last week.

A review of staffing has begun, a Metronet spokesman told This is Local London.

"We are looking at back of house' people, whereas maintenance and safety team will be strengthened," the spokesman said.

Reports have claimed about 600 jobs could be lost, and the spokesman confirmed losses would be around this mark.

"We only took over last week and we are in the process of looking into this," he said.

Metronet signed the formal agreement with London Underground last Monday, and is promising a vast spending programme to improve the reliability of the network.