Houghton MP says she has been told "no planned redundancies" at Rainton Bridge's npower site

Staff at npower, which has a contact centre at Rainton Bridge, in Houghton, are expecting be told on Tuesday exactly how many posts the German-owned business is planning to axe nationally.

It is understood that the firm is looking at cutting 2,500 jobs, about a fifth of its 11,500-strong UK workforce.

Houghton and Sunderland South MP Bridget Phillipson has said that she has met with bosses to discuss the developments.

She said: “npower is a major employer in my constituency with around 2,000 staff based at its Rainton Bridge centre.

"Following speculation about major job losses, I spoke directly with senior management at the firm.

“I received assurances that there are no planned redundancies at Rainton Bridge, and that npower remains fully committed to the site.

"Understandably this is an unsettling time for staff during this difficult time for the company.”

Union leaders have slammed the job cuts, with Eamon O’Hearn, of the GMB organisation saying that any job losses would “another kick in the teeth for communities”.

A spokeswoman for npower said the company was making no comment on Ms Phillipson’s statement.