380 jobs set to go at drugs giant (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

380 jobs set to go at drugs giant

3:13pm Tuesday 9th February 2010 in

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Drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline is to cut up to a third of jobs at one of its UK research and development sites.

A 90-day consultation has started with workers at the site in Harlow, Essex, which employs 1,150, raising the threat of up to 380 job losses.

The company reported a 12% rise in annual profits last week but stressed the need to reduce costs, reviving fears of big job cuts.

Pre-tax profits for 2009 were £8.73 billion, but the firm announced plans to expand its restructuring programme to deliver another £500 million of savings by 2012.

Chief executive Andrew Witty said last week: "I believe that our strategy is delivering and GSK's long-term prospects are improving."