25 jobs set to be lost across Newsquest’s Oxfordshire and Wiltshire division as part of subbing hub move

Newsquest is set to axe 25 jobs in its Oxfordshire and Wiltshire division as part of a subbing hub move.

Some 21 subbing and production staff, who are understood to be based in Oxford and also work across the publisher's Wiltshire titles, are expected to lose their jobs along with four product control and planning staff.

The publisher currently employs around 60 journalists in Oxford.

The cuts come as part of a plan to transfer "some operational aspects of the production function" to the publisher's subbing hub in Newport, South Wales.

The changes are due to take effect from the first quarter of 2015 as Newsquest installs a "new editorial system to improve operational efficiency within the business and save costs".

Managing director Chris Moore told staff today: "We have notified the nominated local staff council representatives and expect to hold formal consultation meetings with the NUJ regarding the proposed transfer and the potential redundancies.

"A consultation process with individual employees and their representatives are being arranged.

"Affected staff will be notified in writing today and may wish to contact their local representative to discuss any issues so that these can be raised during the consultation process.

"We will also be holding individual consultation meetings with each employee who is potentially subject to the TUPE transfer."

Newsquest have already announced the losses of 12 jobs at both the Herald in Glasgow and at the Lancashire Telegraph this month.

All three sets of redundancies have come after subbing roles have been transferred to the publisher's hub in Newport, South Wales.

This year, Newsquest journalists from London, Sussex, Hampshire and the North West have all threatened industrial action over the cuts and work conditions.