Hewlett-Packard has followed through with threatened job cuts following its takeover of EDS, sacking 3,378 staff in the UK.

Unions have reacted with outrage. The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union has said that it will "vigorously oppose" the cuts, which it says will hit the delivery of computerised government services to benefit claimants, pensioners, Ministry of Defence personnel and Home Office and prison services.

PCS represents around 2,000 EDS staff.

The job cuts, which will take place over the next two years, represent more than a fifth of the 15,000 EDS employees in Britain - 10 per cent more than unions' worst fears.

HP says it will redeploy people where possible. The company will not say where the axe will fall, but it has staff at over 200 centres across the country.

Over the whole Europe, Middle East and Africa region, around 9,300 employees are likely to be fired, although half of these may be replaced. As many as 24,500 may go worldwide. X

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