Fears over job cuts continue

Up to 500 staff based in Tunbridge Wells could be affected

Fears over job losses continue after an important Kent employer announced plans to cut 900 jobs across the UK.

Pension firm NPI has yet to confirm how many of the 500 staff based at its Tunbridge Wells offices will be laid off.

Parent company AMP announced on Monday morning it was closing NPI to new clients and cutting 900 jobs because of growing losses.

The Australian firm has now closed all of its British-based life services business to new clients.

The job cuts come on top of about 4,700 previously announced by AMP.

Rapid response team

Sue Rogers, senior business manager covering Tunbridge Wells job centre, said she did not believe the job cuts would prove a disaster for the town.

"The figures we've been given are nowhere near the 500 reported," she said.

"We've been dealing with this company now since March, where we've been giving them advice and support.

"We believe it will be somewhere around the 300 mark - we've had about 60 people come in already."

Ms Rogers said a rapid response team would advise staff at NPI as early as possible.

She said Tunbridge Wells, which has about 800 people registered unemployed, offered good opportunities for new jobs.

Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells Archie Norman said it was important for local organisations to work sympathetically with NPI to find the best solution for staff.