Jobs threat for Intel workforce

Intel, the world's biggest microchip maker, has announced it may have to make job cuts among its workforce at its UK headquarters in Swindon.

The 900 staff there have been told the company needs to cut 10% of jobs among its worldwide staff of 100,000.

Intel said in a statement it has been forced to take the action because of a recent fall in profits.

A decision on the exact number of jobs to go at Swindon will not be announced until the end of October.

The site, which is based in the Old Town area of Swindon, opened 25 years ago and is home to the sales and marketing side of the business.

The redundancies follows a fall in Intel's quarterly profits of 56% and the launching of an efficiency review.

In its most recent earnings report, Intel said that net profit was $885m in the three months to 1 July, compared with $2bn a year earlier.